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I am self-employed and already pay taxes in the US via ITIN. Does that help in my case?

Paying taxes via ITIN is positive for the EB-2 NIW, but the main focus is to prove the relevance and national impact of your work for the US.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on February 12, 2026
2 min read
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The EB-2 NIW visa is an alternative for professionals who demonstrate exceptional abilities or hold a high academic degree, and whose work can generate significant benefits for the United States. One of the main aspects of this type of visa is to demonstrate, through strong evidence, that your area of expertise is of national interest.

In your case, being self-employed and paying taxes through the ITIN shows that you already have a regularized tax situation, which is important to prove your activity in the US. However, for the EB-2 NIW application, the main focus will be on demonstrating how your work, research, or innovations create a broad and positive impact for the country, regardless of the fact that you are self-employed. In other words, tax compliance is a positive point but is not, by itself, decisive for the success of the process.

What really matters for the EB-2 NIW are elements such as the importance of your projects, publications, awards, industry recognition, and other documents that show the relevance and contribution of your work to the United States’ strategic interests. Therefore, it is essential to gather substantial evidence highlighting your achievements and the relevance of your field.

Remember that strictly following immigration laws is essential to avoid future complications. There is a lot of information available on the internet and marketing campaigns promising quick and guaranteed results, but it is crucial to be cautious and seek information from reliable sources, such as specialized organizations and recognized professionals on the subject. This way, you can build a well-founded and consistent application, respecting the requirements of the US immigration system.

Learn more about EB-2 NIW

Category
EB-2 NIW Green Card
Self-petition
Allowed (no sponsor needed)
PERM
Waived
Processing
12-36 months
All about EB-2 NIW
Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

Victoria's tips

I am self-employed and already pay taxes in the US via ITIN. Does that help in my case?

Paying taxes via ITIN is positive for the EB-2 NIW, but the main focus is to prove the relevance and national impact of your work for the US.

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