What is an EB2 Visa?
The EB-2 is an employment-based immigration visa that will enable the applicants to secure Green Card status in the United States. This visa is a great way to fulfill the desire of being a US citizen. EB2 Green Card requires the applicants to possess an advanced degree or extraordinary/exceptional skills in order to pursue this particular application process. People living in the US and wish to convert their status to green card holders can also apply for this visa as well.
What is the EB2 NIW Visa?
The National Interest Wavier is a US immigration option directed towards EB2 visa holders. It uniquely enables you to achieve your objective of becoming a US citizen. However, you should understand the biggest difference between EB2 and NIW in this instance. In turn, those who want to apply for EB2 are obligated to receive the necessary job offer, but such obligations are absent for EB2 NIW immigration applicants. This allows you to be, which does not need both the labor certification or offer of employment.
EB2 NIW visa requirements
- General qualifications for EB2 classification (advanced degree or exceptional ability).
- Specific requirements for the National Interest Waiver:
- Evidence of substantial merit and national importance.
- Well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.
- The endeavor’s benefits for the US overcome the requirement for a labor certification.
Role of the Expert Opinion Letter For EB2-NIW
An Expert Opinion Letter (EOL) is an essential document in the EB2 NIW petition. It offers third-party approval, which promotes the potential of EB2 NIW qualifications and contributions, in each corner that it matters:
- The EOL is prepared on three major criteria:
a) Endeavor’s substantial merit & national importance.
b) Well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.
c) The benefits for the US overcome the requirement for a labor certification.
Evidence for an Advanced Degree:
- A copy of any transcripts, diplomas, or degree certificates from accredited institutions that prove the completion of an advanced degree (Master’s, PhD, or equivalent). Progressive Work Experience (if substituting with Bachelor’s Degree plus 5 years of experience).
- If using a foreign degree, an evaluation (Academic Evaluation, Academic and Experience Based Evaluation or Course by Course Evaluation ) of foreign educational credentials should be provided to confirm U.S. equivalency.
Evidence for Exceptional Ability: To demonstrate the Exceptional Ability, applicants need to submit at least three of the mentioned evidences that show that the applicant is knowledgeable beyond counterparts in the said field.
● Letter from a college, university or other institution of learning that the applicant has studied in the field of his or her application
● Written statements from experts in the applicant’s field attesting to their exceptional skills, knowledge, and contributions
● Membership in Professional Associations
● Evidence of Published Material About the Applicant
● Evidence of Significant Contributions to the Field
● Recognition for Achievements and Significant Contributions
● Evidence of Commanding a High Salary or Compensation
● Evidence of Employment in a Critical Role for Distinguished Organizations
The Application Process
● First, you need to fill out an I-140 form (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers) and send the petition materials.
● The standard EB2 NIW processing time takes around 10 to 20 months.
● EB2 NIW premium processing time: With the additional fee, USCIS can adjust the processing time within 45 calendar days.
● EB2 NIW premium processing fee is $2,805.
Success Stories and Testimonials
EB2 NIW Approved for an Islamic Finance Specialist Success Story:
Background:
This time, we assisted a candidate in Islamic finance and banking who wanted to come to the United States to expand his area of practice. The candidate was a professional expert in the sphere of Shariah-compliant finance systems that sought to respect the religious values and provide ethical services with no risk involved.
Challenging Part:
The primary challenge in this case was demonstrating that the candidate’s work in Islamic finance, which primarily benefits the Muslim population, could meet the National Interest Waiver (NIW) criteria. To obtain an EB2 NIW, an applicant must show that their work benefits the country as a whole, not just a specific demographic. Islamic finance, while beneficial to Muslims, does not seem to have an immediate national impact in the broader context of U.S. financial systems.
Solution:
To overcome this challenge, we crafted an Expert Opinion Letter EB2 NIW (EOL) that redefined the national importance of Shariah-compliant financial services. Instead of focusing only on its benefits for Muslims, we highlighted the wider implications of ethical finance practices. The key points we emphasized included
- Addressing Unethical Financial Practices
- Restoring Public Confidence
- Fostering Financial Inclusion
Outcome:
With this strategic framing, the EOL successfully positioned the candidate’s work as a national benefit beyond religious lines. By demonstrating that ethical finance solutions could combat growing distrust in the U.S. financial system, the candidate’s petition was strengthened. The emphasis on restoring public trust and creating a more transparent financial environment played a crucial role in securing the EB2 NIW approval.
Key Takeaway:
This case shows that even when an applicant’s field seems specialized or limited in scope, it is possible to highlight the broader, national implications of their work. By focusing on ethical challenges in U.S. finance and how Shariah-compliant services can address these, we demonstrated the far-reaching potential of the candidate’s contributions.
Conclusion
The EB2 NIW visa presents an exceptional opportunity for professionals, entrepreneurs, and researchers to secure a U.S. green card without the need for a job offer or labor certification. Through its unique qualifications for those with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities, the EB2 NIW opens doors for individuals making significant contributions to their fields and benefiting the United States on a national scale.
Our case study of an Islamic finance specialist highlights how strategic presentation of one’s expertise can lead to success in the EB2 NIW process. The Expert Opinion Letter (EOL) plays a vital role in this by aligning the applicant’s qualifications with the national interest, showcasing how their work addresses broader U.S. priorities like ethics in finance and public trust.
International Evaluations is one of the top specialized evaluation service providers for numerous visa application categories, such as academic and experience evaluations, course-by-course evaluations, or Expert Opinion Letters (to be used with EB2 NIW petitions).
