The EB-2 National Interest Waiver lets a founder self-petition for a green card with no job offer and no PERM labor certification. Approval rates dropped from 90%-plus (FY2018 to FY2023) to about 43% in FY2024. USCIS then tightened its Policy Manual guidance in January 2025, so petitions now need heavier evidence. Premium processing (45 business days) costs $2,965 as of March 1, 2026.
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EB-2 NIW green card: founder self-petition path tightens as approvals fall
Why this matters for founders
Immigrant founders in STEM or national-priority fields can pursue permanent residency without an employer sponsor, but should assemble a rigorous evidence package (traction metrics, funding, expert letters) given the higher bar, and budget for premium processing to compress timelines.
Source: Alma - EB-2 NIW Approval Rates & Statistics (USCIS data)
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