A national interest waiver (NIW) is a type of employment-based immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to live and work in the United States if they can demonstrate that their work is in the national interest of the United States. NIWs are available to individuals who have exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business, or who have a degree of expertise in a specific field that is in short supply in the United States.
There are a number of benefits to obtaining an NIW. First, NIWs allow foreign nationals to live and work in the United States without having to first obtain a job offer from a U.S. employer. Second, NIWs allow foreign nationals to apply for permanent residency (a green card) after just one year of employment in the United States. Third, NIWs allow foreign nationals to bring their spouses and children to the United States with them.
