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FOR PHYSICIANS AND SPECIALISTS

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

If you are a licensed physician or specialist from LATAM with years of experience, the National Interest Waiver can let you petition your residence based on your own training and track record: no job offer, no PERM, no capital investment.

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Free Physician 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 licensed physicians and specialists.

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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 a physician?

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

It makes sense if…

  • You are a general physician, specialist or surgeon with a medical degree.
  • You have demonstrable years of clinical experience (work history, letters).
  • You have evidence of your track record: license, publications, research, teaching or leadership roles.
  • You want to petition your residence based on your own profile, not on a job offer.

Probably NOT if…

  • You do not have a medical degree or an advanced professional degree.
  • You are only looking for a hospital to hire or sponsor you (this is a law firm, not an employment agency).
  • You expect the Green Card to be automatic “because you are a physician”: 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 physicians

Your degree and clinical track record are the foundation of the case.

No employer to sponsor you

You file your own petition (self-petition). You do not need a hospital 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 medical training and experience.

Assess my physician profile
PROCESS

How the process works for a physician

1

Assessment of your profile

We review your medical degree, specialty, years of experience, and available evidence.

2

Evidence preparation

We organize your license, experience letters, publications, teaching, 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 physician questions about the EB-2 NIW: sponsorship, investment, USMLE, timing and family

Does a physician need a job offer or a hospital to sponsor them for the EB-2 NIW?
No. The EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) lets the physician file their own petition (self-petition) with USCIS, without a job offer or employer 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 for physicians 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 medical degree and professional track record. Legal fees and USCIS filing fees do apply.
Do I need the USMLE or to already be practicing in the U.S. to apply for the EB-2 NIW?
The EB-2 NIW focuses on your professional profile (degree, experience, and the national interest of your work), which is an immigration matter. Licensing and exams to PRACTICE medicine in the U.S. (such as the USMLE or ECFMG certification) are a separate topic from the immigration process. We explain how they relate in your case during the consultation.
Which medical specialties qualify for the EB-2 NIW?
There is no closed list of specialties: USCIS evaluates the individual profile. General physicians, specialists and surgeons with a medical degree and a demonstrable track record can explore this path, as can other health professionals with an advanced degree. Each case is assessed in consultation.
What evidence works for a physician’s case?
Under the Matter of Dhanasar and EB-2 criteria, useful evidence often includes: your medical degree and additional degrees, professional license, letters documenting years of clinical experience, publications or research, teaching, leadership roles, and evidence that your work has substantial merit and national importance. Each case is documented per its profile.
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 physician profile

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

30+
Years Experience
500+
Successful Cases
98%
Approval Rate
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