EB-2 NIW: A Streamlined Guide to the National Interest Waiver Green Card

The EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) is a green card that allows highly skilled individuals to self-petition for permanent residency without employer sponsorship or labor certification if their work is deemed to be in the national interest of the United States.

Eligibility Criteria and Three-Prong Test

To qualify for EB-2 NIW, applicants must first meet at least one of the following basic eligibility requirements:

• Advanced Degree: Have earned a Master's degree or higher, or has a Bachelor's degree along with at least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in a related field.
• Exceptional Ability: Requires demonstrating expertise significantly above average in your field, typically through outstanding academic records, professional certifications, or widely recognized achievements.

Applicants must also satisfy the 3-prong test (often referred to as the Dhanasar test):

1. Proposed Endeavor Has Substantial Merit and National Importance:
   • Substantial Merit: Work must be valuable in its field (e.g., improving healthcare, advancing technology)
   • National Importance: Impact should be broad, benefiting the U.S. as a whole (e.g., economic, environmental, or societal benefits)
2. Applicant is Well-Positioned to Advance the Proposed Endeavor:
   • Evaluated based on education, skills, knowledge, and record of success
   • Considers past achievements, current projects, and future potential
3. On Balance, It Would Be Beneficial to the United States to Waive the Job Offer and Labor Certification Requirements:
   • Weighs the potential benefits of the applicant's work against U.S. labor interests
   • Considers factors like work urgency, potential impact, and broader benefits beyond filling a specific job

Advantages of EB-2 NIW

1. Self-Sponsorship Available: Applicants can file without an employer sponsor, offering greater control over the immigration process.
2. Job Flexibility: No requirement to work for a specific employer before or after green card approval. This allows applicants greater flexibility to pursue entrepreneurial ventures or change jobs without jeopardizing the green card process.
3. No Labor Certification: Saves time and resources typically required for the PERM process.
4. Faster Processing: Generally subject to fewer visa backlogs compared with most other employment-based categories and is eligible for premium processing.

Other Considerations

1. Subjective Evaluation: NIW approval partly depends on subjective assessment of national importance, creating unpredictability and necessitating experienced legal guidance for a strong application.
2. Timing Issues: Although premium processing is available, USCIS’ stated turnaround time for the NIW is up to 45 days (longer than the standard 15 business days for other cases). In addition, as mentioned above, some applicants may face extended EB-2 visa backlogs.  These backlogs occur when the demand for visas in a particular category exceeds the annual numerical limit, causing applicants from certain countries, especially China and India, to wait several years before becoming eligible to complete the last stage of the green card process - adjustment of status or consular processing.  The U.S. Department of State updates these wait times monthly in the Visa Bulletin.

The EB-2 NIW offers a viable opportunity for highly skilled individuals to contribute to the U.S. while seeking a potentially accelerated pathway to permanent residency. A well-prepared petition addressing all requirements can significantly improve chances of success. If you're interested in exploring the EB-2 NIW visa further, contact our team at Alma for a free assessment of your case and initial consultation today.

Written by Alma immigration lawyers