My Story

As an international student from a non-English speaking developing country, I moved to the US at 22 years old to pursue my Master's degree. Upon graduation, I was fortunate to secure a job and receive sponsorship for my H1B visa. However, I understood that if I wanted to stay in the US long-term, I would need to obtain a green card. Relying on my employer for sponsorship, however, would mean a long wait due to visa backlogs for applicants from countries like the Philippines, India, China, and Mexico. This caused me concern about being stuck at the same company for years.

I reached out to multiple immigration attorneys about the National Interest Waiver (NIW) green card process, but was told I wouldn't be approved due to my lack of publications and a PhD. However, one attorney, who was at full capacity, suggested I give it a try anyway. So, I decided to write my NIW application on my own. To my surprise, I discovered that many people apply for NIW independently and get approved each year, even without a PhD or publications. With the help of internet forums and a friend with experience in self-petitioning NIW, I submitted my application in four months. Three months later, I received a Request for Evidence (RFE) notice, but with the assistance of others who had NIW experience, I was able to develop a strategy that better showcased my innovative contributions. A few months later, my case was approved.

As I reflected on my journey through the DIY NIW process, I felt proud and grateful. I learned several valuable lessons along the way. Firstly, one should never underestimate their own abilities. While researching data from immigration forums, I discovered that many successful NIW applicants only held Master's degrees, and in some cases, just Bachelor's or Associate degrees. Secondly, publications and citations are not the only indicators of contribution and impact. There are various creative ways to demonstrate your contributions to your field, but each person has a unique background, so a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective.

This is why I decided to help others in applying for the National Interest Waiver (NIW) independently, especially those without a PhD. My goal is to assist more people in getting their NIW approved efficiently, freeing them from dependence on their employers and granting them greater career mobility.