Often, clients ask me, “I want to immigrate to the United States for as short a time as possible. What kind of immigration method is better?”
There are countless overseas compatriots, and most of them are you, me and him.
In fact, there is indeed a program in the United States that ordinary people can “reach”, and it is also the fastest and cheapest “shortcut” for most people to obtain a US green card. That program is the NIW program!
The “immigration shortcut” for ordinary people – NIW (National Interest Waiver)
NIW is a special category under the Second Preference (EB-2) of the U.S. immigration law for employment-based immigration. Under the normal EB-2 category, a labor certificate is required, meaning one must find a job in the United States. However, the US government has specially set up a “fast track” for some outstanding talents. They don’t need to have a job in the US. As long as they can prove their “highlights” and be “useful” in the US, they can basically get a green card!
1、be honest! The Six major advantages of NIW
【Simpler – No need to look for a job in advance】
Applying for NIW doesn’t require you to look for a job in the US in advance or have your boss sponsor you. Compared with other methods, it simplifies the process and can save at least half a year to a year. Isn’t this equivalent to a disguised “speed-up”?
【Low cost – No need to invest millions】
Compared with EB-5 investment immigration, the overall cost of NIW is only a “mole” of EB-5 investment immigration. You don’t need to invest five or six million. With around 40,000 US dollars, you can secure a ten-year green card for your entire family, reducing the financial pressure on a large number of people. It is an “economic choice” for ordinary people to obtain a green card!
【 Abundant Quotas – Over 40,000】
The normal EB-2 category immigration has an annual quota of 40,000, but the quota for 2024 has reached 46,046. The policy has been relaxed, which is actually more advantageous. For us ordinary people, it is also easier to obtain the approved quota!
【 Expedited service available – approval as fast as 45 days 】
The current waiting period for NIW is about three years. However, at present, the immigration department can expedite the approval of the I-140 stage. If it’s as fast as 45 days, it can be approved!
【 More Freedom – No Residency Requirement】
After obtaining a green card, NIW applicants can stay in China to work or live. They are not required to start a business or work in the United States. They only need to land in the United States once every six months.
【 Low Threshold – The Simplified Version of EB-1A 】
Compared with EB-1A, NIW also has no language or age requirements. Although the waiting period is slightly longer than that of EB-1A Outstanding Talent, the requirements are correspondingly lower than EB-1A, and the requirements for the applicant’s personal achievements are also more lenient. It is a very good “alternative option” for EB-1A applications.
The specific application requirements are as follows
The principal applicant should possess a higher degree or special skills, and either of them is sufficient:
① Higher education: Master’s degree or above, or bachelor’s degree plus more than 5 years of working experience;
② Special Skills: Meeting three of the following six conditions is sufficient:
- Graduation certificate (I’m sure everyone should have this!) For example: graduation certificates from schools, academic certificates issued by educational training institutions
- Proof of 10 years of full-time work experience (as long as you can provide proof of your past work experience ~)
- Have a specific professional license or qualification certificate (such as a teacher qualification certificate or a Certified public accountant certificate are all fine ~)
- Evidence of the annual salary or remuneration received based on one’s outstanding ability (such as regular wages, bonuses, dividends, etc.)
- Membership qualifications of major professional associations (such as: E-commerce Association, Securities Association, Business Association, Advertising Association, etc.)
- Proof of recognition and significant contributions in the field (this requires some certification letters from your colleagues, government agencies, professional or business organizations).
2、Which ordinary people in life are suitable for NIW
Over the years, among our NIW immigration approved clients, typical groups include: editors, copywriters, planning specialists, designers from various industries, IT programmers/coders, translators, researchers in departments, lawyers and assistant lawyers in law firms, doctors and nurses in hospitals, software engineers, teachers and teaching assistants in counseling institutions, etc.
People who are older or have poor English skills can consider the NIW immigration program more. This is because the NIW program does not have strict requirements for the applicant’s age or English proficiency. Even after retirement, one can still apply.
What’s your occupation? Is it really suitable to apply for NIW or not? What is the success rate? It is recommended that you conduct an assessment first to fully understand the match between your own situation and NIW, and reduce unnecessary economic and time costs.
3、How to Increase the Success Rate of NIW Applications?
The “Two Magic Tricks” to Impress Immigration Officers
Magic One: A “beautiful” business plan is more favored by immigration officers!
Is the definition of excellence that you yourself consider the same as that given by immigration officers? A “Business Plan for going to the US” is more like a “catalyst” in the entire immigration application process. If the plan is well-made, you are basically halfway to getting a green card, because immigration officers like to go to places that can contribute to the local area!
In addition, it should be clearly stated in the plan that once you obtain a US green card in the future, you will apply these past achievements and experiences to the field of computer software research and development in the United States and other application scenarios, promoting the better development of related industries in the United States.
Magic Two: The perfect “Chain of Material Evidence”, conquer the immigration Officer with “Shining Points”!
NIW is by no means a random online search for an application template or a set of “assembly-line” mass production applications. It is like a 100% ready-to-wear “haute couture”, where one needs to determine and screen out the supporting materials that “immigration officers truly care about, like, and can facilitate the success of the application”.
Of course, it’s not the case that the more of these supporting materials you list, the better. Instead, a series of “material evidence chains” are needed to logically and rigorously demonstrate your outstanding talents and industry contributions in your professional field.
Key points:
The review of materials by immigration officers is carried out in two steps.
The first step: Review whether at least three of the six conditions are met;
The second step: and the most crucial “second round of screening”, the immigration officer will assess the “chain of material evidence” you have provided.
To put it bluntly, it all depends on whether you can convince the immigration officer that you are superior to others and worthy of giving you the green light, so that you don’t have to look for a job or ask your boss to sponsor you! In fact, these three points can logically support your “shining points”. Of course, to better win over immigration officers, you need to form a convincing “chain of material evidence” with these three points.
Preparing materials is not simply a matter of piling up; it requires strategy and skill. How can you fully showcase your strengths and achievements so that the immigration officer can immediately recognize your value? Leave professional matters to professionals!