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FOR ENGINEERS AND IT PROFESSIONALS

Green Card for engineers & IT: the EB-2 NIW path, without an employer to sponsor you

If you are a degreed engineer or IT professional from LATAM with experience, the National Interest Waiver can let you petition your residence based on your own training and technical track record: no job offer, no PERM, no capital investment.

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Free Technical Profile Assessment

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Important — Before continuing

We are an immigration law firm. We do not offer jobs, we are not an employment agency, and we do not sponsor work visas. We charge legal fees to represent you before USCIS.

To qualify for EB-2 NIW

  • →Master's, PhD or equivalent, OR
  • →Bachelor's + 5+ years of professional experience, OR
  • →Demonstrable exceptional ability

This answer helps us confirm you are in the right place.

ℹ️The EB-2 NIW is designed for professionals with an advanced university degree or provable exceptional ability — such as degreed engineers and IT professionals.

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Immigration legal representation services involve professional fees. During your free assessment, we will explain the full process and available options.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Is the EB-2 NIW right for you as an engineer or IT professional?

We prefer to be clear from the start, so you know whether it is worth discussing your case.

It makes sense if…

  • You are an engineer or IT professional with a university degree in your field.
  • You have demonstrable experience (work history, projects, technical roles).
  • You have evidence of impact: projects, patents, publications, open-source, technical leadership or recognized certifications.
  • You want to petition your residence based on your own profile, not on a job offer.

Probably NOT if…

  • You do not have a university degree in engineering, IT, or a related field.
  • You are only looking for a company to hire or sponsor you (this is a law firm, not an employment agency or a headhunter).
  • You expect the Green Card to be automatic because of your job title: USCIS evaluates each profile and its evidence.
  • What you want is to immigrate by investing capital: that is the EB-5, a different path.

No assessment guarantees an approval: the final decision is USCIS’s. What we do is honestly review your profile and tell you whether it is worth moving forward.

Why the EB-2 NIW fits engineers and IT professionals

Your degree and the impact of your technical work are the foundation of the case.

No employer to sponsor you

You file your own petition (self-petition). You do not need a company to hire you first.

No PERM certification

The NIW waives the labor certification process, a step that takes a long time in other paths.

No capital to invest

Unlike the EB-5, the NIW requires no investment: it is based on your technical training and experience.

Assess my technical profile
PROCESS

How the process works for an engineer or IT professional

1

Assessment of your profile

We review your degree, experience, projects, and available evidence of impact.

2

Evidence preparation

We organize projects, patents, publications, open-source, expert letters, and everything that supports the national interest of your work.

3

I-140 Filing

We file your petition with USCIS under the Matter of Dhanasar criteria.

4

Permanent Green Card

Depending on your country of origin and visa availability, you move to adjustment of status or consular processing with your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common engineer & IT questions about the EB-2 NIW: sponsorship, investment, experience, timing and family

Does an engineer or IT professional need a company to sponsor them for the EB-2 NIW?
No. The EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) lets the professional file their own petition (self-petition) with USCIS, without a job offer or company sponsorship. The government waives the job-offer requirement when the professional’s work is in the national interest of the United States.
Does the EB-2 NIW require investing capital, like the EB-5?
No. They are different paths. The EB-5 is a green card by investment (from USD 800,000 in TEA projects). The EB-2 NIW requires no capital: it is based on your degree, your experience, and the impact of your technical work. Legal fees and USCIS filing fees do apply.
Do I need a master’s degree, or does my experience as an engineer/developer count?
The EB-2 requires one of two paths: an advanced degree (master’s, doctorate, or equivalent), OR a bachelor’s degree plus at least 5 years of progressive professional experience. There is also the "exceptional ability" route with verifiable evidence. Many engineers and IT professionals qualify through the bachelor’s + experience path.
What evidence works for an engineer or IT professional’s case?
Under the Matter of Dhanasar and EB-2 criteria, useful evidence often includes: your degree and additional degrees, projects with measurable impact, patents, technical publications, relevant open-source contributions, technical or architecture leadership roles, awards, recognized certifications, and expert letters. Each case is documented per its profile.
Which engineering or IT fields qualify?
There is no closed list: USCIS evaluates the individual profile. Engineers (software, data, AI/ML, cybersecurity, civil, electrical, mechanical, industrial, energy, etc.) and IT professionals with a degree and a demonstrable track record can explore this path. Each case is assessed in consultation.
Do you guarantee the green card will be approved?
No. No serious attorney can guarantee an immigration approval: the final decision is USCIS’s. What we offer is honest information, an analysis of your case, and professional guidance through the process. Be wary of anyone promising a guaranteed visa.
How long does the EB-2 NIW process take and how much does it cost?
The I-140 form usually takes 6 to 12 months (faster with Premium Processing, available for an additional USD 2,965). Then it depends on the visa quota by country of origin. USCIS fees include the I-140 filing fee (USD 715) and, if adjusting from within the U.S., the I-485 (USD 1,440). Legal fees vary by case; we provide a detailed quote in the consultation.
Can my family get the green card with me?
Yes. Your spouse and your unmarried children under 21 can obtain the green card as derivatives of your main petition, without having to demonstrate exceptional ability or national interest of their own.
Review your case

Schedule a consultation to review your technical profile

We honestly tell you whether the EB-2 NIW is the right path for you.

30+
Years Experience
500+
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