United States of America
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) processing time
I-140 EB-2 NIW: 6–18 months standard; Premium Processing ($2,805) covers I-140. Priority-date backlog for India and China can add multi-year waits at visa-bulletin stage.
Typical window
6 months – 2.5 years
Government fees
I-140 USD 715; I-485 USD 1,440; premium processing USD 2,805.
Last checked
20 April 2026
What drives the timeline
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) sits in the skilled migration category. Typical duration: Permanent residence.. Indicative government fees: I-140 USD 715; I-485 USD 1,440; premium processing USD 2,805..
- Does not require a sponsor.
- Leads to settlement / permanent residence.
- Suited for: Researchers, scientists, and engineers with specialist expertise, Advanced-degree professionals in STEM fields the US has identified as critical, Entrepreneurs building US-impact ventures.
Primary source
USCIS — Case Processing Times
https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
Frequently asked questions
How long does the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) take to process?
I-140 EB-2 NIW: 6–18 months standard; Premium Processing ($2,805) covers I-140. Priority-date backlog for India and China can add multi-year waits at visa-bulletin stage. These figures come from USCIS — Case Processing Times and were last verified on 2026-04-20. Always confirm on the primary source before acting.
Is there a priority or premium service that speeds this up?
Refer to the linked primary source for current priority / premium options; availability changes frequently and varies by consular post.
Can you guarantee my application will fall inside this window?
No. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, biometrics scheduling, sponsor-side delays, source country, public-holiday calendars, and policy shifts. The linked source is the only authoritative reference on the day you apply.