Visa types / EB-2 NIW
Your work matters to America.
Get a green card that agrees.
A green card for work that matters to the U.S. — the job-offer and labor-certification requirements are waived when your work clears the national-interest test.
Attorney-reviewed, every case. A Thrive attorney reads your submission and gives you a straight answer — no coordinators, no portals.
Handled by specialists. Your petition is prepared by immigration attorneys with deep EB-2 NIW experience — immigration law, day in and day out.
Fast and async-first. Replies within one business day, in plain English — you keep building while the case comes together.
- What it is
- Immigrant petition (green card)
- Sponsorship
- Self-petition allowed
- The test
- 3-prong national-interest framework
- Baseline
- Advanced degree or exceptional ability
Step 1 of 5
When your work serves the national interest, the job-offer requirement steps aside — you petition on the merit of the work itself.
Who it's for
The EB-2 NIW is a fit if…
Researchers, founders, and technologists whose work has substantial merit and national importance.
You want a green card without being tied to a single employer's sponsorship.
Your record is strong but not yet at the EB-1A bar — NIW is the most common founder/PhD path.
Not sure this is your category? That's normal — the right answer is often a sequence, not a single visa. Email us and a Thrive attorney will map your options.
How it actually works
The mechanics that matter
01
The Dhanasar framework
Three prongs: your endeavor has substantial merit and national importance; you're well positioned to advance it; and on balance the U.S. benefits from waiving the usual job-offer and labor-certification requirements.
02
The EB-2 baseline
You need an advanced degree (or bachelor's plus five years of progressive experience) or exceptional ability before the waiver analysis even begins.
03
Premium processing
NIW petitions are eligible for premium processing with a 45-business-day clock — slower than EB-1A's 15, still far faster than regular processing.
04
Pairing strategies
NIW pairs naturally with an O-1 for status while you wait, and with a parallel EB-1A when the record supports both. Priority-date strategy depends on your country of birth.
The process
From "does this fit?" to filed
- 1
Honest assessment
A Thrive attorney reviews your situation against this category — and the neighbors you might not have considered — and gives you a straight read.
- 2
Meet your legal team
Your case is staffed with an immigration attorney with deep experience in this category, working with Thrive. You'll know exactly who before you engage.
- 3
Evidence & filing
Your attorney assembles the record and files with USCIS or the consulate — async updates in plain English while you keep working.
- 4
Decision & next steps
When the decision lands we map what's next: extensions, family, travel, and the road to permanence where one exists.
FAQ
EB-2 NIW questions
What is the three-prong test?
Broadly: your work has substantial merit and national importance; you're well positioned to advance it; and on balance, waiving the job-offer requirement benefits the U.S. We map your evidence to each prong before filing.
Do I need a PhD?
No. The baseline is an advanced degree or exceptional ability — a bachelor's plus five years of progressive experience also qualifies. What wins cases is the strength of the national-interest showing.
How does NIW compare to EB-1A?
NIW has a lower bar but sits in the EB-2 category, which can mean longer waits depending on your country of birth. Some people file both. We'll tell you which sequencing makes sense for your situation.
What counts as "national importance"?
Work whose implications reach beyond one employer — advancing a technology field, public health, energy, security, or economic growth. Commercial work qualifies when its impact is framed and documented at that level.
How long does NIW take?
With premium processing, the I-140 is decided within 45 business days. Green-card completion then depends on EB-2 visa-number availability for your country of birth, which can add substantial time for some countries.
Is NIW risky for founders?
Founder NIWs are well established — the framework explicitly accommodates entrepreneurship. The work is in evidencing your positioning: funding, traction, letters, and a concrete plan for the endeavor.
Can I file NIW and EB-1A at the same time?
Yes — they're independent petitions and many people file both, using NIW as the reliable base and EB-1A for its faster category when it lands.
Does NIW require staying with my current employer?
No. The petition is tied to your endeavor, not an employer — you can change jobs as long as you keep pursuing the endeavor described.
Start now
Get a straight answer on the EB-2 NIW.
Tell us about your situation and a Thrive attorney will reply within one business day — free, with no obligation.