A green card pathway for advanced degree professionals and exceptional individuals whose work benefits the United States as a whole — no employer sponsor required, no labour certification, and no need to prove you're the best in the world. Just that your work matters.
The EB-2 National Interest Waiver allows eligible professionals to bypass the usual job offer and labour certification requirements when their work benefits the United States. It is often a strong green card pathway for researchers, scientists, engineers, and policy professionals whose impact goes beyond one employer.
Self-petition, no employer required
File your I-140 petition directly with USCIS. No employer sponsor or job offer is needed.
No labour certification (PERM)
The national interest waiver eliminates the PERM requirement entirely.
Particularly strong for STEM fields
Researchers, scientists, and engineers are among the best-suited applicants.
Advanced degree or exceptional ability
Qualify with a master's degree or its equivalent demonstrated through experience.
Unlike O-1A and EB-1A which use a criteria-based approach, EB-2 NIW uses a three-prong test established by the AAO in Matter of Dhanasar.
Your proposed endeavour must have both intrinsic merit — value in its own right — and national importance, meaning its impact reaches beyond your immediate employer or local community. STEM research, public health, infrastructure, and education often satisfy this prong naturally.
You must show that you, specifically, are positioned to advance this work through your education, skills, knowledge, record of success, plans, and any commitments from relevant stakeholders. This is where your personal achievements and track record are presented as evidence.
USCIS weighs whether the national benefit of your work justifies setting aside the standard labour certification process. Unique skills, the urgency of your field, or a compelling benefit-versus-cost argument all strengthen this prong, which — unlike the first two — is explicitly a balancing test.
These backgrounds consistently produce strong NIW petitions, though any field with demonstrated national importance can qualify.
The Dhanasar framework rewards a clear, well-argued narrative more than any single document or award. Building that narrative — and weighing it against all three prongs — is exactly the kind of strategic work Veripass specialises in.
Built specifically on NIW cases across STEM, healthcare, and policy.
A dedicated attorney and paralegal who frames your research and impact against all three Dhanasar prongs.
Strategic guidance on timing for nationalities facing longer EB-2 priority date backlogs.
So you always know exactly where your case stands.
From the vibrant energy of Times Square to the timeless grandeur of the Grand Canyon, life in the United States means access to some of the world's most legendary landmarks — and a country where ambition has no ceiling.
No. You can qualify either as an advanced degree professional (a master's or higher, or a bachelor's plus five years of progressive experience) or as a person of exceptional ability, demonstrated through salary, achievements, or professional memberships. A PhD is not required.
The EB-1A requires a higher standard of "extraordinary ability"; you must be among the very top of your field globally. The EB-2 NIW has a lower evidentiary bar but requires demonstrating national interest. The EB-2 category also has longer priority date backlogs for some nationalities, notably India and China.
Often, yes. Filing early establishes your priority date while you may still be building your career. Many Veripass clients file the I-140 early and wait for a priority date to become current. Our strategists can advise on the right timing for your specific nationality.
Yes. Unlike employer-sponsored green cards, once your NIW green card is approved, you're free to work for any employer in any US state — or be self-employed. The only general expectation is that you continue working in your stated area of national interest.
Our attorneys specialise in turning strong research careers into approved NIW petitions. Get a free evaluation today.