What does EB-2 NIW mean?

EB-2 NIW stands for National Interest Waiver, a category within the United States’ second employment-based immigration preference. It allows qualified professionals to petition for a green card without a job offer and without the labor certification that is normally required, as long as they demonstrate that their work serves the national interest of the country.

In practice, it is a self-petition pathway: the applicant can be their own petitioner, without relying on an employer to sponsor them. For that reason, it tends to attract researchers, entrepreneurs, and professionals in strategic fields who prefer to manage the process on their own.

• Waives the job offer and labor certification requirements.
• Allows the applicant to petition on their own behalf.
• Requires demonstrating the merit and national importance of the work.

Each case is evaluated individually by the relevant authority, and the requirements may change over time. It is worth checking the current requirements from the official source 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.