EB-2 NIW and EB-2 Advanced Degree — 2025
EB-2 Advanced Degree vs NIW: choosing your track
Advanced Degree (AD) relies on a U.S. employer, PERM, and I-140. NIW waives PERM and the job offer if you prove substantial benefit to the U.S. and a credible plan to execute. The tools below help you decide.
2 tracksEB-2 AD (with PERM) and EB-2 NIW (no PERM)
0 PERMNIW has no labor certification
Premium I-140available for both tracks (I-907)
Canonical EB-2 page:
service page (EB-2)
Decision Calculator
1. Profile2. Offer
3. National Interest4. Dependencies
5. Speed
1) Do you have an advanced degree (MA/MS/PhD) or equivalent experience?
YesNo / unclear
2) Is a U.S. employer ready to run PERM and file I-140?
YesPossibleNo
3) National importance of your project/work to the U.S.?
HighMediumLow
4) Attitude to PERM-related dependencies
AcceptablePrefer to avoid
5) Need I-140 Premium Processing?
YesNot critical
Premium accelerates only I-140; AOS/consular timing depends on the Visa Bulletin.
Scenario A: Researcher/innovator without employer
Publications/patents/implementations; U.S. partnerships; high national importance.
- Track: EB-2 NIW
- Prepare: expert letters, impact metrics, MOUs/LOIs, 6–18-month roadmap.
Scenario B: Senior specialist with offer
Employer ready for PERM; role requires master’s/equivalent.
- Track: EB-2 Advanced Degree (AD) + PERM
- Prepare: role description, wage level, recruitment evidence.
Scenario C: Consultant/entrepreneur with pilots
Socio-economic effect, pilots and case studies in the U.S.
- Track: EB-2 NIW (parallel AD prep possible)
- Prepare: measurable KPIs, stakeholder letters, scaling plan.
Scenario D: Offer possible, PERM undesirable
Employer uncertain or role unstable.
- Track: Start with NIW; negotiate AD in parallel.
- Prepare: strengthen NIW evidence and a fallback plan.
EB-2 AD vs NIW (2025) — comparison
| Job offer | Required from a U.S. employer | Not required if national interest and feasibility are shown |
| PERM | Mandatory (labor market test & recruitment) | Not required |
| Evidence focus | Role fit, qualifications, labor market | U.S. benefit + ability to execute |
| Premium Processing (I-907) | Available | Available |
| Career flexibility | Lower (employer-tied) | Higher (contracts/partnerships within stated impact) |
| I-485 / consular | Depends on the Visa Bulletin and personal factors | |
Can I pursue NIW and AD in parallel?
Yes, if you qualify. This hedges employer uncertainty.
Does Premium speed up the entire case?
No. It only expedites I-140, not AOS/consular stages.
What matters most for NIW?
Measurable U.S. benefit and feasibility; accolades are secondary.
Employer backed out of PERM?
Use NIW as the alternative or switch to it.
Primary sources
- USCIS — EB-2: uscis.gov/.../eb-2
- USCIS Policy Manual — Vol. 6, Part F, Ch. 5: uscis.gov/policy-manual
- Matter of Dhanasar (AAO 2016): uscis.gov … #S-G
- USCIS — Premium Processing (I-907): uscis.gov/forms … premium
- USCIS — Form I-140: uscis.gov/i-140
- USCIS — Form I-485: uscis.gov/i-485
- U.S. Department of State — Visa Bulletin: travel.state.gov … bulletin
- DOL — PERM overview: dol.gov … permanent
- FLC Data Center: flcdatacenter.com
