DO YOU NEED LOTS OF RESEARCH FOR AN niw?

If you are a researcher and do not have many citations, or you are not a researcher at all, you might still be able to qualify for an EB-2 NIW green card. There are some law firms that prefer to focus on national interest waiver cases for researchers with hundreds of citations for several reasons, including a possible offer of a money-back guarantee if the foreign national is denied. Accepting only clients with a heavy research and patent background may help to avoid an RFE (Request for Evidence) or denial. 

However, there are plenty of non-researchers or Ph.D. students with just a few citations who have been approved for an EB2 NIW. It may be in the national interest of the USA to offer an NIW to a businessperson or entrepreneur, as well. These exceptional EB-2 NIW candidates may have other evidence of being well positioned to achieve their proposed endeavor besides research. 

Thesis or Dissertation Research 
Foreign nationals who have an advanced degree may have had to write and defend a thesis or dissertation as part of their graduation requirements. In addition to submitting the document as evidence with the EB-2 NIW petition letter, a national interest waiver candidate might also consider creating a Google Scholar or ResearchGate profile. 

Those who are in professions where they create projects or case studies might also consider adding those to their ResearchGate profile, as there is space to do so.  

What if you are in a business-related field and want an EB-2 NIW? 
There are countless professions that are not related to research but still benefit the American public or the U.S. economy. Professionals in banking, project management, or business intelligence, for example, may be able to demonstrate that they are well positioned to achieve their proposed endeavor in the United States without research. 

Some examples of persuasive evidence for a businessperson seeking a national interest waiver might include: 

• Memberships 
• High salary 
• Awards 
• Conference presentations 
• Professional development certificates beyond a master’s degree 

 
If one immigration law firm turns you down, try a different one 
Even if you have submitted your profile to an immigration law firm, and they told you that you were not a fit as a client, it does not mean that you absolutely cannot get approved for a national interest waiver. Different EB-2 NIW attorneys may focus on one type of professional, such as researchers, athletes, or inventors.  

If you believe that you meet the requirements for a national interest waiver, you might be surprised to find a green card lawyer that is interested in taking your NIW case if you keep looking.  ​

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