National Interest Waivers Provide Individuals with Permanent Status.

A foreign national may apply for lawful permanent residence status (green card), and seek a waiver of the job offer and labor certification requirements, by establishing that his or her admission to permanent residence would be in the National Interest.

There is no regulatory or statutory standard as to what will qualify an alien for a National Interest Waiver. The USCIS considers each case on an individual basis. The procedure is to file the case with evidence to establish that the alien’s proposed services will be in anarea of substantial intrinsic merit and will have a national benefit, and that the alien has some track record of success in his or her field.

The value of the National Interest Waiver classification seems to be that it does “not” require an employer to sponsor the prospective employee. Thus, it is referred to as a “self-sponsorship” classification for the green card. Of course, if the National InterestWaiver is done with the support of an organizational sponsor, the case can be perceived as being “stronger” by the CIS adjudicators.

The National Interest Waiver is an EB-2 classification. This means that the priority date numbers reported by the U.S. Department of State are likely to move the green card faster for the applicants then in the EB-3 classification. For Nationals of China and India (and some other countries) this consideration is very important.

In deciding whether the proposed work will be in an area of substantial intrinsic merit, factors that have been considered in successful cases include:

* The foreign national’s admission will improve the U.S. economy.

* The foreign national’s admission will improve wages and working conditions of U.S. Workers.

* The foreign national’s admission will improve educational and training programs for U.S. children and under-qualified workers.

* The foreign national’s admission will improve healthcare.

* The foreign national’s admission will provide more affordable housing for young, aged, or poor U.S. residents.

* The foreign national’s admission will improve the U.S. environment and lead to more productive use of the national resources.

*The foreign national’s admission is requested by an interested U.S. government agency.

In addition to requiring the showing of a benefit that is national in scope, national interest cases require that the emphasis rest with the overall value and potential of the particular beneficiary’s individual contribution to the United States. National Interest Waivers aregranted to aliens who will substantially benefit prospectively the national economy, cultural or educational interests, or welfare of the United States.

The foreign national may qualify by being foun