Are you looking for a way to obtain permanent residence in the United States?
The EB-2 National Interest Visa is a visa granted by the U.S. Government to foreign nationals with extraordinary ability.
If you intend to apply for this visa, it is important that you know what requirements you must meet. In this article, we will explain in detail what are the characteristics of this Visa and what documentation you must present to apply for it.
Contents
What is the EB2 NIW Visa?
The EB-2 NIW – National Interest Waiver, more commonly known as the EB-2 National Interest Visa, is an immigrant visa that grants a foreign national lawful permanent residence without the requirement of a job offer. The job offer requirement does not apply if the applicant can demonstrate that permanent residence in the U.S. would be in the “national interest” and would benefit the country.
A benefit to the country can be demonstrated in many ways, but the most common is through the applicant’s contribution in a specific area of science or research.
The Department of Labor will grant authorization to employ a foreign national if the foreign national’s proposed endeavor benefits the U.S. Therefore, a qualified individual can “self-petition” and obtain a green card based on his or her own professional experience and skills.
Who can apply for the EB-2 National Interest Visa?
The EB-2 National Interest Visa (NIW) is available to foreign nationals who have obtained an advanced degree or its foreign equivalent in a professional field. These individuals may also meet this educational requirement with a bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of progressive experience in their field.
That is, an advanced degree under EB-2 NIW is a degree or qualification higher than a bachelor’s degree. The applicant can obtain this in the U.S. from a recognized U.S. university or a foreign equivalent of a U.S. advanced degree.
EB-2 National Interest Visa Advantages
The EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) offers several benefits to eligible applicants who are approved for the visa. Some of these benefits include:
- Job offer waiver: applicants for the EB-2 National Interest (NIW) Visa do not need a job offer from a U.S. employer to be eligible for the visa.
- Expedited Processing: National Interest EB-2 (NIW) applicants may request expedited processing of their application, which means that their application may be processed more quickly than other immigrant visa applications.
- Permanent Resident Card: Approved EB-2 National Interest Visa (NIW) applicants can apply for a permanent resident card, allowing them to live and work in the United States permanently.
- Work and Business Opportunities: The EB-2 National Interest Visa (NIW) allows applicants to work and establish businesses in the United States, which can create opportunities for professional growth and success.
Although the EB-2 National Interest Visa (NIW) has multiple and diverse advantages, you should be aware that the application process can be complex and requires careful preparation and submission of proof and evidence to support the applicant’s ability and skills. In addition, applicants must also demonstrate that their presence in the United States would be in the national interest.
About emigrating to the United States
Year after year thousands of workers decide to take a gamble on the American dream. According to the U.S. Government and Immigration Law, a lawful permanent resident (LPR) is defined as an alien who has been granted “the status of having lawfully received the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant under the immigration laws, without such status having changed.”
LPRs may live and work permanently anywhere in the United States, own property and attend schools, colleges and universities.
Effects of the pandemic
The following graph measures the number of permanently legal residents in the country. And it is interesting to see how it peaked during the pandemic, and how it rebounded after the pandemic.
Due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic, LPR flows in 2021 were not representative of typical trends. Travel restrictions and slower processing led to lower overall inflows, while foreign-born residents within the United States also faced vulnerabilities specific to COVID-19 immigration status.
Source: Bureau of Immigration
What distinguishes it from the EB-2 Visa?
The main distinction between the EB-2 Visa and the National Interest EB-2 Visa (NIW) is the requirement of a job offer.
While the EB-2 Visa requires a valid job offer, the National Interest EB-2 Visa (NIW) does not.
How to apply for the EB-2 National Interest Visa (NIW)
To apply for the EB-2 National Interest Visa (NIW), a work permit (Form I-140) must first be obtained from the Department of Labor.
This permit will confirm that the foreign national has the qualifications and experience necessary to perform the specific job for which they will be hired. It costs $700 and must be mailed in.
National Interest EB-2 Visa Requirements
Below you will find detailed eligibility requirements imposed by the USCIS in subcategories:
| Subcategories | Description | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate degree | The job you apply for must require a graduate degree and you must possess such a degree or its foreign equivalent (a baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree or equivalent foreign degree, plus five years post-baccalaureate, progressive work experience in your field). You must meet any other requirements specified in the labor certification, as applicable. | Documentation, such as official records showing that you have a U.S. graduate degree or equivalent foreign degree and letters from former employers or your current employer showing that you have at least five years of progressive work experience in the field after receiving the baccalaureate. If a doctoral degree is customarily required, you must possess a U.S. earned doctorate or equivalent foreign degree. |
| Exceptional Attitude | You will need to be able to demonstrate that you have some exceptional aptitude in the sciences, arts or business. Por aptitud excepcional “se entiende un grado de habilidad notablemente por encima de lo que normalmente se encuentra en las ciencias, las letras o los negocios”. You must meet any requirements specified in the labor certification, as applicable. | You must meet at least three of the criteria below*. |
Requirements EB-2 category “Exceptional Aptitude”
In the case of entering the Exceptional Aptitude category, you must meet at least 3 (three) of the following requirements:
a. Official academic records showing that you have a degree, diploma, certificate or similar award from a college, university, school or other educational institution related to the field in which you have exceptional aptitude.
b. Letters documenting that you have at least 10 years of full-time experience in your profession
c. A permit to practice your profession or a certification of your profession or occupation
d. Proof that you have received a salary or other remuneration for your services that demonstrate that you have an exceptional ability
e. Membership in one or more professional associations
f. Recognition by peers, government entities, professional or business organizations for your accomplishments and notable contributions to your industry or field
g. Other similar evidence of eligibility will also be accepted.
EB-2 Visa Approval Rate
According to the U.S. Bureau of Immigration, legal residents arriving in the country with advanced degrees increased nearly 3% from 2019 to 2021, from 43,666 to 59,834 workers per year.
This is a positive indicator, as while there are many procedures and paperwork to complete, the United States has its doors open to those who can contribute to the nation.
Procedure and documentation
Below, you will find in detail everything you need to know to apply for an EB-2 Visa. There are three situations contemplated by the USCIS:
General Permanent General Labor Certification: Your employer must obtain a certified application for Permanent Employment Certification (ETA Form 9089) (PDF) from DOL before filing Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, with USCIS.
Schedule a general labor certification: For those with exceptional ability as defined by the Department of Labor (generalized recognition and international recognition) or certain nurse practitioners and physical therapists, the employer submits the petition to USCIS with a non-certified ETA Form 9089.
National Interest Waiver: Those seeking a national interest waiver may file a self-petition. These are those who request that the job offer, and therefore the labor certification, be waived because it is in the interest of the United States. The efforts that qualify for a national interest waiver are not defined by law; however, USCIS considers the 3 factors below:
1- The proposed undertaking has both substantial merit and national significance.
2- You are well-positioned to move forward with the proposed undertaking.
3- Overall, it would be beneficial to the United States to waive the requirements of a job offer and, therefore, labor certification.
Family Members of EB-2 National Interest Visa Holders
If your I-140 petition is approved, your spouse and children under the age of 21 may be eligible to enter the United States under E-21 and E-22 immigrant status, respectively.
Conclusion
The EB-2 National Interest Visa is a great option for highly skilled professionals seeking to obtain permanent residency in the United States. Unlike other work visas, it does not require a prior work permit nor does it require an employer to sponsor employees. In addition, the application process is relatively simple and can be done on your own.
However, while this Visa offers many advantages, it also has its disadvantages and limitations. As always, it is recommended that you consult an immigration attorney before taking any steps to apply for a visa.
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