Can nurses or physical therapists apply for the NIW?

Yes, nurses and physical therapists can petition for the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver). This pathway waives the job offer and labor certification requirements, allowing self-petition, as long as the applicant demonstrates advanced qualifications and that their work holds merit and national importance for the United States.

The NIW is generally accessible to professionals with advanced qualifications or those who can establish exceptional ability in their field. The profession itself neither opens nor closes the door: what matters is the argument that your work generates an impact beyond the interest of a single employer or locality.

In healthcare, that impact can take several forms:

• Contributions that improve access to or quality of care.
• Research, protocols, or methods that can be broadly adopted.
• Practice in regions or specialties with recognized shortages.

Even fields less commonly associated with cutting-edge research can build a strong case when they bring together concrete evidence of achievements and relevance. Since evaluation is done case by case, it is worth verifying updated requirements at the official source (USCIS) and reviewing your profile with a specialist before filing.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.