Self Petition
No Job Offer
No PERM
File for a U.S. green card on your own, without an employer sponsor or PERM. We help you define your proposed endeavor and build the evidence for all three Dhanasar prongs, with review by a network attorney.*
* Not legal advice. Beyond Border is not a law firm. Legal services are provided by independent attorneys in its network.
WHY NIW
One of the most flexible employment based paths to a U.S. green card for professionals, researchers and entrepreneurs.
You can file Form I-140 yourself, with no employer sponsor.
Ask USCIS to waive the normal job offer requirement.
If the NIW is granted, PERM is waived.
EB-2 has annual numerical limits, so visa availability and your priority date still matter.
Your case centers on a specific proposed endeavor, such as a project, business or research program.
Eligible spouses and unmarried children under 21 may get derivative status.
Prong 1
A specific proposed endeavor, not just an important occupation.
Prong 2
Evidence that you can actually advance the work.
Prong 3
Why the U.S. gains by waiving the job offer and PERM.
OUR NETWORK
Every EB-2 NIW petition is reviewed by a handpicked U.S. immigration attorney who is an immigrant.
Fadi Minawi
Managing attorney · 20+ yrs
Lena Nevsky
Extraordinary-talent attorney · 25+ yrs
Uche Nwaneri
Business & immigration law · 25+ yrs
Junoetia Salonga
Extraordinary-talent attorney · 15+ yrs
WHO WE HELP
Candidates with strong past achievements and a credible, specific plan for future work.
Petition strategy and expert letter coordination that tie research, citations and publications to a specific endeavor.
Evidence organization for revenue, customers, investment, partnerships, job creation and a credible plan.
Narratives for work in AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors and clean energy, framed as an endeavor.
Expert support letters and an endeavor narrative that explain your expertise and why your work matters to the U.S.
Renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and climate technology endeavors framed to meet the national interest standard.
Evidence organization for fintech, infrastructure and education technology work with measurable national impact.
IN THEIR WORDS
Short video testimonials from professionals who secured their green cards with our help.
Founder
Founding Team Member
Founding Engineer
Senior Backend Engineer
NIW GUIDE
Pick a topic to jump straight to the answer.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
You first qualify for EB-2 through an advanced degree or exceptional ability, then pass the three prong Dhanasar test. You can self petition without an employer sponsor or PERM. EB-2 annual limits and your priority date still apply.
EB-2 is Employment Based Second Preference, for certain professionals with advanced degrees and people with exceptional ability. The National Interest Waiver is an exception to the normal requirement of a permanent job offer and PERM labor certification, available when your proposed work is in the national interest of the U.S. You first qualify for EB-2, then prove the waiver should be granted.
A U.S. degree above a bachelor's or a foreign equivalent. A bachelor's plus five years of progressive experience can count as a master's equivalent.
Expertise significantly above that ordinarily found in the sciences, arts or business, with qualifying evidence.
USCIS applies the three prong Matter of Dhanasar framework, and the petitioner must prove eligibility by a preponderance of the evidence.
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"I am an AI engineer and AI matters to the U.S." is weak. "I will develop AI cybersecurity systems that improve threat detection for U.S. healthcare organizations" identifies what you will do. Prong 2 requires evidence such as education, publications, patents, awards, commercial success or expert letters.
Prong 3 requires evidence, not just a statement that your work is valuable. USCIS treats the waiver as discretionary and requires all three prongs.
01
Check whether you qualify through an advanced degree or exceptional ability.
02
Be specific: what you will do, why it matters to the U.S., what you have accomplished and what you plan next.
03
Support your qualifications and all three prongs with academic, employment, publication and business records, then prepare Form I-140. In an NIW, you can generally file as your own petitioner.
04
USCIS may approve, issue a Request for Evidence, or deny. Standard I-140 processing times vary by category and service center. Check the USCIS processing times page for the current range.
05
An approved I-140 needs an available visa number before I-485 or consular processing.
There is no lottery for the NIW, but EB-2 has annual numerical limits. In the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the EB-2 Final Action Date for most countries is January 1, 2025. Dates for specific countries differ and change monthly, so check the current Visa Bulletin for your country.
January 1, 2025
India and China have separate dates. Check the current Visa Bulletin article for your country.
Premium processing for eligible EB-2 NIW I-140 petitions costs US$2,965 and has a 45 business day timeframe. It covers USCIS action on the I-140 only, not the full green card process.
A qualifying NIW petitioner can ask for a waiver of the permanent job offer and PERM, and can self petition. You still need EB-2 eligibility and all three Dhanasar requirements. Filing an NIW I-140 does not by itself give a spouse work authorization; once your spouse becomes a permanent resident, or if you can jointly file adjustment of status, your spouse may obtain employment authorization. Eligible spouses and unmarried children under 21 can generally qualify as derivatives, subject to visa availability.
Candidates who prepare the strongest cases avoid these common missteps.
A master's degree is not enough. The NIW requirements still apply.
"Software engineer" is an occupation, not an endeavor.
"Benefit the U.S. economy" is weak without evidence of expected impact.
Not legal advice. Beyond Border is not a law firm. Legal services are provided by vetted attorneys in its network.
PRICING
Total cost depends on your situation, filing strategy and whether you need adjustment of status or other applications.
US$8,000 To 10,000
For EB-2 NIW. Attorney arrangements are set out in your engagement agreement.
US$715
For Form I-140 (US$665 online), plus the Asylum Program Fee: US$300 for self-petitioners and small employers, US$600 for other employers and US$0 for nonprofits. Check the USCIS fee calculator before filing.
US$2,965
Optional for eligible NIW I-140 petitions, with a 45 business day timeframe.
Case coordination, expert letter coordination and drafting, petition strategy, evidence organization, filing support and response support per your package.
Fees for adjustment of status or immigrant visa processing may apply later.
Standard 50% money back guarantee. Terms are set out in your engagement agreement. Beyond Border cannot guarantee a USCIS decision.
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FAQ
What is an EB-2 NIW?
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The EB-2 National Interest Waiver lets a qualified professional self petition for a green card and ask USCIS to waive the normal job offer and PERM labor certification requirements because the proposed work is in the national interest of the United States.
Do I need a job offer or an employer for an NIW?
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No. The NIW lets you self petition without a job offer or employer sponsor. You must still qualify for EB-2 and meet all three Dhanasar prongs.
Do I need PERM for an NIW?
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No. If the NIW is granted, the PERM labor certification is waived. The waiver is discretionary, so strong evidence for all three prongs is essential.
What are the three Dhanasar prongs?
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Prong 1: your proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance. Prong 2: you are well positioned to advance it. Prong 3: on balance, it benefits the U.S. to waive the job offer and PERM requirements.
Does a master's degree guarantee an NIW?
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No. A master's degree can help you qualify for EB-2, but the NIW requires you to prove all three Dhanasar prongs. A degree alone is not enough.
Is there an EB-2 NIW lottery?
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No. There is no lottery for the EB-2 NIW. EB-2 does have annual numerical limits, so your priority date and your country's Final Action Date still affect when you can receive a green card.
Tell us about your background and the work you plan to do in the U.S. We will review your EB-2 eligibility and how strong a proposed endeavor you can build.
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Address: 4 W 4th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94402, United States
Email: info@beyondborderglobal.com