Strategy built around you
No fill-in-the-blank petitions. We learn your achievements and build a case and evidence strategy written for your specific record and field.
High Skilled Immigration
Proven Experience with NIW Cases
See if you qualify to petition for a green card based on your work's positive impact on the nation.
Overview
The National Interest Waiver lets you petition for a green card on your own when your work serves the national interest of the United States. No employer sponsorship and no job offer required. We help you make the case clearly.
Why Choose Ellis Porter?
Communication you can count on
You work with a dedicated attorney from start to finish. No conflicting answers, no repeating yourself, and a reply within one business day.
Quality that holds up
Our attorneys have personally answered hundreds of RFEs. We prepare your petition to stand up to scrutiny.
People, not case files
This work is personal. We treat every client with respect and care, and we keep sponsors informed clearly at every step of the process.
Results that reflect real experience.
- 23+ Years guiding clients through a system that rarely stands still.
- 90k+ Immigration approvals secured for individuals, families, and employers.
- 4.9/5 Average client review rating across hundreds of cases.
High Skilled Immigration
A green card you can pursue on your own.
The NIW is a second-preference green card that waives the usual job offer and labor certification when your work is in the national interest. It is a strong option for advanced-degree professionals and those with exceptional ability.
Self-petitioned
You file for yourself. No employer sponsorship and no job offer are required at any point in the process.
No labor certification
The NIW skips the PERM labor certification process, which often saves significant time compared to other employment green cards.
Substantial merit and importance
Strong cases show work with substantial merit and national importance, and a record showing you are well positioned to advance it.
Advanced degree or exceptional ability
An advanced degree or exceptional ability in your field, paired with evidence that waiving a job offer benefits the United States.
High Skilled Immigration
A clear process, start to finish.
You should never wonder where your case stands. We map the path up front, build the case for the national importance of your work, and stay with you through approval, so you always know what to expect and what to do next.
Assess your strongest path
We learn your background and confirm whether the NIW is the strongest path for your profile.
Build the national-interest case
We build the case for the substantial merit and national importance of your work, supported by clear evidence.
Draft and file
We draft your petition, legal brief, and recommendation letters, then file your I-140 with USCIS.
Respond and move forward
We respond to any requests for evidence at no additional cost. Once approved, we scope Adjustment of Status as a separate stage.
High Skilled Immigration
Transparent pricing, no surprises.
You deserve to know what to expect before you begin. Our attorney fee is a flat fee that covers all legal services for your NIW petition, with no hidden charges.
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)
A flat attorney fee for the I-140 petition. Adjustment of Status and government filing fees are handled separately. We stand behind our work. For applicants who qualify, we refund our attorney fee if your NIW petition is denied.
$6,000
What your fee includes
- A custom petition built around the national importance of your work
- Recommendation letters drafted for your recommenders
- RFE responses at no additional cost
- A dedicated attorney from start to finish
- Flexible 16-month payment plans available.
- A strong option for advanced-degree professionals.
- Adjustment of Status is a separate stage we’ll scope with you
- We stand behind our work. For applicants who qualify, we refund our attorney fee if your NIW petition is denied. We confirm whether your case qualifies before you begin
Our NIW Attorneys
David Allen
Partner
Andy Ingebritson
Partner
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an employer for the NIW?
No. The NIW allows you to self-petition. You file for yourself with no employer sponsorship and no job offer required.
What does national interest actually mean?
Your work must have substantial merit and national importance, and you must be well positioned to advance it. We help you document each of these clearly.
How is the NIW different from EB-1A?
EB-1A is about proven results. It requires a record of extraordinary achievement at the top of your field. The NIW is about impact and direction. It focuses on the national importance of your work and your plans to advance it, so it often fits a wider range of professionals.
Do I need an advanced degree to qualify?
No, but an advanced degree or exceptional ability in your field is one path. We can review your background and tell you honestly whether the NIW fits.
What happens after the NIW is approved?
Once the I-140 is approved, you move to Adjustment of Status or consular processing. We scope that as a separate stage and walk you through it.
Hundreds of Success Stories
My NIW petition was prepared and filed quickly, and it was approved without any request for more evidence. The legal brief read like it was written by an expert in my own field.
Request a Consultation Today
Tell us about your background and the impact of your work. We will help you understand whether the NIW is your strongest path and what to expect from the process next.