Is the EB-2 NIW usually faster than the EB-3?

There is no absolute answer to this, because the speed of each pathway depends on several factors that change over time. That said, the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) has a structural advantage that can accelerate the starting point: by not requiring a job offer or labor certification, it eliminates a step that the EB-3 normally requires.

Skipping the labor certification phase tends to make the initial stage of the EB-2 NIW faster in many cases. On the other hand, the total time to the green card also depends on visa availability in the category and the applicant’s country of birth, factors that affect both pathways and can reverse the impression of which is faster at any given moment. Generic comparisons, therefore, rarely tell the whole story.

• The EB-2 NIW does not require labor certification, a step that EB-3 normally does.
• This tends to speed up the initial stage, but does not guarantee the overall timeline.
• Visa availability and country of birth weigh on both pathways.

To find out which path tends to be faster in your situation, it is worth following official publications and evaluating your profile with a specialist who can compare the EB-2 NIW and EB-3 in light of your specific circumstances.

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.