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EB-2 NIW Visa Eligibility Calculator for USA

By VISA AI Editorial TeamReviewed by VISA AI Immigration Research DeskUpdated May 17, 2026

Determine your likelihood of qualifying for the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) visa to the United States with our free eligibility calculator. This visa is designed for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability whose work can significantly benefit the U.S. national interest. Answer a few quick questions to get an instant assessment.

Processing:I-140: 8–14 months regular; premium processing 45 business days (USD 2,805). I-485/CP: 6–18 months thereafter.Min score:70FreeOfficial source

Check Your Visa Eligibility Score in 60 Seconds

Free • USA

1. Education / experience baseline?

2. Is your field of national importance to the US (STEM, health, climate, infrastructure)?

3. Evidence you are well-positioned (citations, patents, funding, traction)?

4. Independent expert recommendation letters?

Answer all questions to see your score

EB-2 NIW Visa Eligibility Overview

EB-2 NIW Visa Eligibility Calculator for USA is one of the most searched immigration pathways for people moving to USA

This page gives you a fast, no-signup way to check where you stand before you spend money on application fees or agents. Our calculator mirrors the official rule set and then translates the answers into a clear, percentage-based eligibility score. You will see exactly which requirements you already meet, which ones need work, and what the realistic next step looks like.

If you want a deeper, AI-personalised plan covering documents, timeline, costs and alternative pathways, run the full assessment — it compares your profile against every visa we track for your destination and ranks the routes most likely to succeed for someone with your background.

Key Requirements for EB-2 NIW Eligibility

EB-2 Baseline

Advanced degree (US master's+ or foreign equivalent) OR bachelor's + 5 yrs progressive experience; OR exceptional ability (3 of 6 regulatory criteria).

Matter of Dhanasar 3-Prong Test

(1) Endeavour has substantial merit and national importance, (2) you are well positioned to advance it, (3) on balance, beneficial to waive job offer + PERM.

National Importance

Field with broader US implications — STEM (AI, biotech, climate, semiconductors), healthcare, critical infrastructure, US economic competitiveness (USCIS Jan 2022 update).

Well-Positioned Evidence

Education + experience + publications + patents + funding + plan + progress + interest from US users/customers/employers.

Self-Petition

No US employer or PERM labor certification required.

Verify with the official government source

Want to double-check requirements? Read the rules directly from . Our calculator is a guide — official policy can change at any time. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

EB-2 NIW Eligibility: Your Questions Answered

Common mistakes to avoid

Generic "field is important" claims without showing endeavour-specific impact.

Missing 3rd Dhanasar prong (why waive PERM) — many denials hinge here.

Co-authored papers without quantifying applicant's personal contribution.

Recommendation letters all from supervisors/collaborators (need independent).

Improve your chances

1
Frame endeavour against USCIS priorities (AI, semiconductors, climate, healthcare, critical and emerging technologies).
2
Quantify citations vs field median + h-index + funding amounts.
3
Secure letters from 3+ independent experts (no past co-authorship).
4
For founders: include term sheets, customer LOIs, and US economic impact projections.

EB-2 NIW fees & key facts (2026)

USCIS 2024 fee rule; Matter of Dhanasar (AAO 2016).
Item	Cost / Detail
I-140 filing fee	USD 715
Asylum program fee	USD 600 (self-petitioner pays)
Premium processing	USD 2,805 — 45 business days (NIW)
I-485 adjustment of status	USD 1,440 (adult)
Priority date	Current for most (China/India have backlogs)
Self-petition	Yes — no employer or PERM
Concurrent I-485 filing	Allowed when PD current

Step-by-step application process

Self-assess eligibility. Use this calculator and review the official EB-2 NIW Visa Eligibility Calculator for USA criteria before paying any fees. Confirm you meet every hard gate (age, language, health, character, qualifying offer or investment) — failing one gate cannot be offset by scoring well elsewhere.
Gather and translate documents. Collect passport, civil documents, qualifications, language test, police clearances from every country lived in 12+ months since age 17, and proof of funds. Obtain certified translations and apostilles/attestations where the destination authority requires them.
Submit the formal application. Lodge online through the official government portal listed on this page. Pay the correct government fee, complete biometrics at the designated centre, and upload supporting evidence in the exact format the authority specifies.
Respond to requests for evidence. Caseworkers commonly request additional payslips, employer letters, or medicals. Respond inside the deadline given — most refusals come from missed deadlines, not weak profiles.
Travel and activate status. On approval, collect your visa vignette or eVisa, enter the country before it expires, register your address where required, and collect any biometric residence permit/card. Keep digital and paper copies of every document.

Sources & references

Every figure on this page is sourced from official government or regulator publications. Cross-check before applying — rules change.

This calculator is editorial guidance, not legal advice. Immigration thresholds, points, salary floors and occupation lists change frequently — always verify your route against the official government source linked on this page before applying. For complex cases, consult a licensed immigration adviser regulated in the destination country.