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US talent immigration
US EB-2 NIW National Interest Waiver
Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability, whose work serves the US national interest, can apply for a green card — no employer or labour certification.
Reviewed by Oscar Yip · Updated October 2026
Programme overview
EB-2 NIW is the national interest waiver route within the second US employment-based preference. Applicants need a master’s degree or higher (or a bachelor’s degree plus five years of relevant experience), or exceptional ability in their field, and must show their work is of substantial value to the US. Those who qualify are exempt from employer sponsorship and labour certification and can apply for a green card themselves.
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InvestmentNo investment required
EducationMaster’s, or bachelor’s plus five years’ experience
EmployerNot needed
FamilySpouse and unmarried children under 21
Summary
EB-2 NIW suits professionals with a master’s degree (or bachelor’s plus five years’ experience) or exceptional ability. You must show your work has substantial merit and national importance, that you are well placed to advance it, and that waiving labour certification benefits the US. You file the I-140 yourself — no employer or investment.
Key benefits of EB-2 NIW
- No employer needed — file yourselfYou can file the I-140 yourself, with no US employer, job offer or investment.
- Exempt from labour certification (PERM)Skip the wage determination, recruitment test and DoL review — the review step alone averages about 336 days.
- No need to be top of your fieldBased on a master's (or bachelor's plus five years' progressive experience) or exceptional ability — a lower bar than EB-1A.
- Entrepreneurs can applyUSCIS guidance covers entrepreneurs, who can argue national importance through the business they plan to run in the US.
- I-140 premium processing: 45 business daysWith premium processing, USCIS must approve, deny or request evidence within 45 business days.
- Not tied to one employerNo designated employer — you can be employed, self-employed or start a business in line with your proposed endeavour.
- File I-485 at the same time in the USIf you are in the US and a visa is available, file I-140 and I-485 together and apply for work and travel permits.
- Spouse and children get green cards tooYour spouse and unmarried children under 21 come with you as derivatives and become permanent residents.
- 10-year green card; citizenship after five yearsNo conditional stage; apply for citizenship after five years, and green-card-holding children under 18 living with you in the US become citizens automatically.
Why Global Immigrate for EB-2 NIW
- families approved
- 45+
- approval rate
- 95%
- offering this programme since
- 2019
Evidence and argument strategy
A team that knows the assessment standards plans your evidence, recommendation letters and personal statement, addressing each criterion in turn.
Green card and citizenship planning
From the I-140 onwards we plan for the visa backlog, adjustment of status or consular processing, and the residence and citizenship rules after your green card.
Clear, transparent fees
All service fees and third-party costs are set out in writing before you sign — no hidden charges — and our refund terms are explained clearly.
Requirements
Applicants generally need to meet the following:
- A master’s degree or higher, or a bachelor’s degree plus five years of relevant experience; or exceptional ability in your field
- Your proposed work has substantial merit and national importance
- You have the ability and track record to advance that work
- Waiving the employer sponsorship and labour certification requirements benefits the US
Our three guarantees
Full service-fee refund if refused
Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.
No extra charge for further documents or resubmission
If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.
Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing
Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.
Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.
Free EB-2 NIW brochure
Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.
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If you can’t see it, please check your spam folder. A consultant may also contact you to answer any questions about the programme.
Application process
- Profile assessment and case strategy1–2 monthsWe assess your education and experience and shape the argument for your petition.
- Prepare and file I-1402–4 monthsCompile the evidence, recommendation letters and a statement of your plans, and file the I-140.
- I-140 decisionPremium processing about 45 working daysWith premium processing, USCIS takes action on NIW petitions within 45 working days (approval, denial or a request for evidence); standard processing takes longer.
- Green card stageDepends on visa backlogFile I-485 or attend a consular interview when your priority date is current.
Pathway to PR and citizenship
- Green card (permanent residence)I-140 can be expedited (45 working days); green card subject to the backlog, usually 2–3 years or more (longer for those born in mainland China)
You, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 receive ten-year green cards directly, with no conditional stage.
Keeping permanent statusThe US must be your permanent home; a trip of over 6 months may be questioned, and over 1 year is generally treated as abandoning the green card unless you hold a re-entry permit (up to 2 years)
- US citizenshipAfter 5 years as a green card holder
Apply to become a US citizen and get a US passport; you must pass the English and civics tests. The naturalisation oath includes renouncing allegiance to your former country; whether you keep your current nationality depends on that country’s own law (for example, the PRC does not recognise dual nationality).
Residence for citizenshipAt least 30 months physically in the US within the 5 years, with continuous residence; a single trip of over 6 months can break continuity, and you must live in your state for 3 months before applying
General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.
EB-2 NIW client stories
Client storyA semiconductor researcher gains a green card under NIW, with no employer sponsorship
Dr Chen’s EB-2 NIW experience. He wanted to join a US research institution without depending on employer sponsorship.
Read the full storyClient storyNo hospital sponsorship needed: a doctor gains a green card under NIWDr Lam’s EB-2 NIW experience. He wanted to move his family to the US.
Read the full storyClient storyRefused once, then NIW approved after rebuilding the evidenceMr Ng’s EB-2 NIW experience. He wanted a US green card through NIW.
Read the full storyCompared with other options: United States
See the United States overview| Programme | Investment | Status | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US EB-5 Investor Immigration | USD 800,000 (TEA) / USD 1,050,000 | Green card | I-526E: rural projects prioritised by law, timing depends on USCIS; others about 24–36 months | Families with funds who want to immigrate without education or employment requirements |
| US EB-1A Extraordinary Ability | No investment; no employer needed | Green card | I-140 premium processing (15 working days); green card depends on backlog | People with international or national acclaim in their field |
| US EB-2 NIW National Interest WaiverThis programme | No investment; no employer needed | Green card | I-140 premium processing (45 working days); green card depends on backlog | Researchers, doctors and professionals with a master’s degree |
| US EB-2 Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability | No investment; US employer sponsorship | Green card | Labour certification, then the visa backlog | Highly qualified people already hired by a US employer |
| US EB-3 Skilled Worker | No investment; US employer sponsorship | Green card | Labour certification, then the visa backlog | Professionals with a bachelor’s degree or two years’ relevant experience |
| US EB-3 Unskilled Worker | No investment; US employer sponsorship | Green card | Labour certification; backlog generally longer | People without formal qualifications willing to take a specified job |
EB-2 NIW FAQ
How does NIW differ from a standard EB-2?
A standard EB-2 requires a US employer and labour certification; NIW waives both, so you can file yourself.
Is it suitable for doctors and researchers?
Doctors, researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs often use NIW. The key is showing that your work is of national importance to the US.
Is there a visa backlog?
EB-2 backlogs depend on place of birth and are published in the monthly Visa Bulletin.
Can my children receive green cards too?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can receive green cards as derivative applicants. In some cases the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) protects children who are close to 21.
Sources
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