{"id":583,"date":"2025-09-04T18:10:53","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T18:10:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/?page_id=583"},"modified":"2026-01-09T05:02:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T05:02:39","slug":"niw","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/niw\/","title":{"rendered":"NIW"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dmnormanlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/9024cee909e6b3e84cf12438fb6406d.png?resize=1280%2C800&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:1150px;height:350px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-column-is-layout-6e21de94 wp-block-column-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-right-width:2px;border-left-style:none;border-left-width:0px;padding-left:0;flex-basis:25%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<details class=\"wp-block-details has-black-color has-base-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-db40954eeba542d39d89d144760eeeff is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><summary>\u751f\u80b2\u6cd5\u5f8b<\/summary>\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-transparent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-1007a1d4502b0839c00b719f9ff2a8f8\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/surrogacy-law\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"657\"><strong>Surrogacy<\/strong> Legal Guidance<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/u-s-surrogacy-law\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"664\">\u7f8e\u56fd\u4ee3\u5b55\u6cd5\u5f8b\u4e0e\u52a0\u5dde\u7684\u6cd5\u5f8b\u4fdd\u969c<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0;margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\u56fd\u9645\u4ee3\u5b55\u6cd5\u5f8b<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-right:0;margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/sperm-donation\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"699\">\u7cbe\u5b50\u6350\u8d60<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0;margin-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/egg-donation\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"703\">\u5375\u5b50\u6350\u8d60<\/a><\/h5>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-custom-color-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-ecdb2123fb8e3c4639c950b23396c86d\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-right:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/immigration\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"51\">\u79fb\u6c11<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-black-color has-transparent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-0c58eba9c4f498664e4f1707278f5716\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/eb1a\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"527\">EB1A<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a602f076f1df6e4b4de261749038562d\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/eb1c\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"535\">EB1C<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-75d31b1e2cc98475bf0e858ce56b8799\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/niw\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"583\">NIW<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e90d8a422215ba8b30f65c16e9fbb879\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/eb5\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"590\">EB5<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-de220b92f84aa8087d19f0e86a77a5b3\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/labor\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"48\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/labor\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"48\">\u52b3\u5de5\u7ea0\u7eb7<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3b6015d43004ee5a16318b9606582fda\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/living-trust\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"47\">\u751f\u524d\u4fe1\u6258\u4e0e\u5a5a\u524d\u534f\u8bae<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c509f0f4c229057038e681f92fa98dcd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/family-law\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"49\">\u6c11\u4e8b\u6848\u4ef6<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2b51a6371c8ceb0ef2a79b3b04e231ed\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/business-law\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"52\">\u5211\u4e8b\u8bc9\u8bbc<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-30c6acec185fd5c07d592e9f7dcfb54e\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/personal-injury\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"50\">\u4eba\u8eab\u4f24\u5bb3<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f9feab2d7cccfa09bf5db9430f76b029\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/family-law-2\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"760\">Family Law<\/a><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NIW<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The NIW is part of the EB-2 (employment-based, second preference) immigrant visa category. Normally, EB-2 requires both a <strong>job offer<\/strong> and <strong>labor certification (PERM)<\/strong>, but the <strong>National Interest Waiver<\/strong> removes those requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">USCIS explains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA national interest waiver is a waiver of the job offer requirement, and thus the labor certification, for certain foreign nationals who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees or who have exceptional ability.\u201d<br>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/policy-manual\/volume-6-part-f-chapter-5?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">USCIS Policy Manual, Ch. 5, Sec. A<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means an NIW applicant can self-petition, similar to EB-1A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Eligibility: The Two Levels<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An NIW applicant must first qualify under EB-2 basic eligibility and then meet the NIW criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 1 \u2013 EB-2 Threshold<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The applicant must show one of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Advanced degree<\/strong> (Master\u2019s or higher, or Bachelor\u2019s + 5 years of progressive experience), OR<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exceptional ability<\/strong> in the sciences, arts, or business.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 2 \u2013 Waiver Criteria (Dhanasar Test)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <em>Matter of Dhanasar<\/em> (2016), the AAO set out the modern NIW standard. USCIS officers apply a <strong>three-prong test<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Substantial Merit and National Importance<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Applicant\u2019s proposed endeavor must have both <strong>inherent value<\/strong> (\u201csubstantial merit\u201d) and a scope that is <strong>national in importance<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>USCIS notes:<br>\u201cSubstantial merit may be demonstrated in a range of areas such as business, entrepreneurialism, science, technology, culture, health, or education.\u201d<br>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/policy-manual\/volume-6-part-f-chapter-5?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">USCIS Policy Manual, Ch. 5, Sec. D.1<\/a>)<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Well Positioned to Advance the Proposed Endeavor<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Applicant must demonstrate they are <strong>qualified<\/strong> and capable of moving the endeavor forward.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>USCIS looks at education, skills, prior success, record of achievement, and plans for future work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quote:<br>\u201cUSCIS considers factors including, but not limited to, the applicant\u2019s education, skills, knowledge, record of success in related efforts, progress toward achieving the proposed endeavor, and the interest of potential customers, users, investors, or other relevant entities or individuals.\u201d<br>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/policy-manual\/volume-6-part-f-chapter-5?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">USCIS Policy Manual, Ch. 5, Sec. D.2<\/a>)<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>On Balance, Beneficial to Waive the Job Offer and Labor Certification<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>USCIS must determine that it would be more beneficial to the U.S. to <strong>waive<\/strong> the normal job-offer and labor-certification requirements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quote:<br>\u201cIn evaluating this prong, USCIS may consider factors such as whether, in light of the nature of the applicant\u2019s qualifications or the proposed endeavor, it would be impractical to secure a job offer or obtain labor certification, and whether the U.S. would still benefit even if qualified U.S. workers are otherwise available.\u201d<br>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/policy-manual\/volume-6-part-f-chapter-5?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">USCIS Policy Manual, Ch. 5, Sec. D.3<\/a>)<br><br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Evidence USCIS Considers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While there\u2019s no fixed checklist, USCIS suggests documentation such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Degrees, transcripts, or licenses (to show advanced degree\/exceptional ability).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Publications, patents, or media coverage (to prove merit and national importance).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Letters from government agencies, industry leaders, or academics (to show recognition and need).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evidence of prior implementation, funding, or adoption of the applicant\u2019s work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Business plans, investor interest, or contracts for entrepreneurs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Important Considerations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Scope of impact:<\/strong> Work must extend beyond a local area to be \u201cnational in importance\u201d (though not necessarily nationwide in reach if the broader implications are national).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Entrepreneurs:<\/strong> NIW is especially useful for founders who may not yet have an employer sponsor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>STEM fields:<\/strong> USCIS policy notes that contributions in <strong>STEM and critical technologies<\/strong> often satisfy \u201csubstantial merit and national importance.\u201d (See USCIS STEM Guidance, 2022).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Balancing test:<\/strong> Even if U.S. workers exist, NIW can still be granted if the applicant brings <strong>unique skills or benefits<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Advantages of NIW<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Self-petition: No employer sponsorship required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No PERM labor certification: Faster than traditional EB-2.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flexibility: Beneficiary can change jobs or employers without invalidating the petition, as long as they continue the endeavor.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pathway for researchers, entrepreneurs, and professionals in public-interest fields.<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons has-transparent-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-50 is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background has-small-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/contact\/\" style=\"background-color:#1f3655\">\u83b7\u53d6\u6cd5\u5f8b\u4ee3\u7406<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Immigration Employment Dispute Living Trust and Prenup Civil Ligation Criminal Defense Personal Injury Family Law NIW The NIW is part of the EB-2 (employment-based, second preference) immigrant visa category. Normally, EB-2 requires both a job offer and labor certification (PERM), but the National Interest Waiver removes those requirements. USCIS explains: \u201cA national interest waiver is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"no-title","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-583","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/PgJ2sN-9p","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=583"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":772,"href":"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/583\/revisions\/772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmnormanlaw.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}