{"id":2042,"date":"2025-01-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eaganimmigration.com\/eb-2-niw-trends-and-key-tips-for-self-petitioning-in-2025\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T11:18:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T16:18:53","slug":"eb-2-niw-trends-and-key-tips-for-self-petitioning-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eaganimmigration.com\/en\/eb-2-niw-trends-and-key-tips-for-self-petitioning-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"EB-2 NIW Trends and Key Tips for Self-Petitioning in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\nGet a free case evaluation <a href=\"https:\/\/go.eaganimmigration.com\/caseevaluation\/\">here<\/a>.\n\n<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2430 \" src=\"https:\/\/eaganimmigration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EB-2-NIW-statistics.png\" alt=\"EB-2 NIW statistics\" width=\"797\" height=\"448\" \/>\n\n<strong>By Natalie McQuilkin\u00a0<\/strong>\n\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Since its creation in 1990, the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) self-petition pathway has gone through many changes. This pathway was originally designed for exceptional professionals in STEM fields, but over time, it has encapsulated a wider range of highly skilled professionals in fields like healthcare, education, and more. As we analyze the FY2024 (fiscal year) data for EB-2 NIW applications, we see that this self-petition pathway is continuing to evolve based on the applications that were approved and denied. In this post, we\u2019ll highlight the EB-2 NIW\u2019s FY2024 trends and what you can expect in FY2025 to increase your likelihood of approval.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Trends for EB-2 NIW approvals &amp; denials in FY2024<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">For years, EB-2 NIW self-petitions had an exceptionally high approval rate. In fact, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/eb-2-niw-visa-trends-navigating-challenging-landscape-amir-ismail-zqyuc\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">96% of EB-2 NIW applications were approved in FY2022<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. In FY2023, however, the approval rate dropped to 80%. <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Unfortunately, FY2024 did not see any improvement \u2013 in fact, approvals were the lowest they\u2019ve ever been. <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received a total of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/view.officeapps.live.com\/op\/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uscis.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fdocument%2Fdata%2Fi140_fy2024_q4.xlsx&amp;wdOrigin=BROWSELINK\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">63,549 EB-2 NIW petitions<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> in FY2024. <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Of these, 27,526 petitions, or 43% were approved, and 11,256 petitions, or 18%, were denied.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> There are still 44,093 petitions (69%) pending, creating a large backlog in EB-2 NIW petitions. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.selfpetitionusa.com\/blog\/2024-eb-2-niw-approvals-and-denials-key-insights-and-trends\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">It should be noted that percentages are based on the number of received petitions, so they do not total to 100% because there are pending cases from previous years<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Still, this is a concerning drop in petition approvals.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2429 \" src=\"https:\/\/eaganimmigration.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Statistics-for-EB-2-NIW-2022-2024.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"603\" height=\"452\" \/>\n\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Why has there been a decrease in approvals?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">It\u2019s important to note that USCIS received roughly 41,500 more EB-2 NIW petitions in FY2024 than in FY2022 \u2013 a 190% jump. As more people have submitted EB-2 NIW petitions, USCIS has become more rigorous in assessing these petitions by taking a closer look at applications to ensure that applicants either have an advanced degree plus five years of professional experience or that they have exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business. USCIS is also more closely scrutinizing the three prongs of the National Interest Waiver, which include the following:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n \t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Your work has substantial merit and is nationally important to the U.S.\u202f<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n \t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You have the knowledge and ability to work in your role in the U.S.\u202f<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n \t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It would be beneficial for the U.S. to waive typical requirements for other petitions, like job offer and labor certification, because it is evident your work will benefit the country\u202f<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Immigration experts believe that USCIS is looking at these prongs more closely because they want to ensure that the EB-2 NIW upholds its original requirements as more global talent submits petitions for this pathway.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">STEM-related petitions vs. non-STEM-related petitions<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Another potential reason for an increase in denials is caused by a changed in STEM-related petitions. In 2022, USCIS <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mondaq.com\/unitedstates\/general-immigration\/1527428\/bolstering-stem-talent-with-the-national-interest-waiver-how-a-2022-update-streamlines-the-green-card-process\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">updated its guidelines for how to assess if STEM professionals uphold the prongs of the National Interest Waiver<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Two years later, USCIS altered the EB-2 NIW guidelines to accommodate <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.creimermanlaw.com\/post\/recent-updates-on-the-eb-2-niw-visa-an-overview-for-2024\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">professionals in up-and-coming industries, such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology.<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Trends reveal that USCIS has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.veripass.org\/how-the-eb-2-niw-has-changed-over-the-years\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">prioritized those in STEM fields, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, renewable energy, and biotechnology.<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> In fact, in FY2023, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/document\/reports\/stem_related_petition_trends_eb2_and_o1a_categories_factsheet_fy23.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">only 2,120 (10%) STEM-related EB-2 NIW applications were denied<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> out of the 20,950 EB-2 NIW applications\u00a0 submitted. Meanwhile, nearly 4,000 (33.2%) of the 11,810 non-STEM EB-2 NIW applications were denied in FY2023.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Although those who do not have a STEM background can self-petition with the EB-2 NIW, <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">it might be harder to prove the National Interest Waiver\u2019s three prongs if you lack the necessary documentation, proposed endeavor, and arguments, especially with USCIS scrutinizing applications more heavily than before. <\/span><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/eaganimmigration.com\/what-is-the-eb-2-national-interest-waiver-visa\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">In our blog post explaining what the EB-2 NIW is<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, we highlight that the EB-2 NIW requires self-petitioners to identify their \u201cproposed endeavors,\u201d or the specific plans for their career or proposed research, and how their work will benefit the United States. Someone with a STEM-related background may find it easier to establish how their work is of national importance than someone with a non-STEM background. Because USCIS is scrutinizing non-STEM applications more heavily, the petition might have a greater chance of getting denied. This means that it\u2019s more important than ever to present rock-solid evidence and arguments.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What can we expect looking ahead in 2025?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">The future of EB-2 NIW petitions is still evolving. On January 15, 2025, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/newsroom\/alerts\/uscis-updates-guidance-on-eb-2-national-interest-waiver-petitions\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">USCIS <\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">leadership announced that they are updating their policy guidance and will be looking more closely at each application. The agency explained that it will \u201cdetermine the relationship of exceptional ability to the proposed endeavor on a case-by-case basis, considering any shared skillsets, knowledge, or expertise.\u201d\u00a0 The upside to this is that you can hone your arguments using your own past experience and plans for proposed endeavors. A drawback is that USCIS might be more skeptical of your proposed endeavor and supporting evidence. Moreover, with President Trump now in office, there is a chance that the EB-2 NIW could change even more and have even stricter criteria, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/navigating-road-ahead-future-eb-2-niw-eb-1a-under-trump-helen-partlow-zuqoe\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">which could affect industry and STEM cases.<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How can I increase my chances of getting my EB-2 NIW approved?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Although there has been an increase in EB-2 NIW denials in the past fiscal year, this should not discourage you. This just means that it\u2019s important, now more than ever, to create a thorough application that covers all areas that USCIS might question when reviewing your petition. You should be specific in your proposed endeavor, identify how your endeavor is nationally important, and provide ample documents highlighting your past and current accomplishments to ensure you meet all three prongs of the National Interest Waiver.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">However, you don\u2019t have to bear the stress of self-petitioning alone. Eagan\u2019s senior business attorney, Hannah Whaley, has a game plan to create high-quality, comprehensive applications for each of her clients pursuing the EB-2 NIW. She is proactive in gathering all the necessary documentation for your petition and uses creative arguments to accommodate USCIS standards.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you\u2019re interested in self-petitioning with the EB-2 NIW and starting a life in the United States, start your case evaluation by clicking <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/go.eaganimmigration.com\/caseevaluation\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">this link<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">or calling our office at (202) 709-6439.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">References<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Amir Ismail, <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">EB-2 NIW Visa Trends: Navigating\u00a0 a Challenging Landscape in 2025, <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Canadian Immigration Updates, LinkedIn, (Dec. 12, 2024), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/eb-2-niw-visa-trends-navigating-challenging-landscape-amir-ismail-zqyuc\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/eb-2-niw-visa-trends-navigating-challenging-landscape-amir-ismail-zqyuc\/<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, (last visited: Jan. 16, 2025).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker by Fiscal Year, Quarter, and Case Status \u2013 Fiscal Year 2024, (Q1-Q4), <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">USCIS, (Nov. 2024), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/view.officeapps.live.com\/op\/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uscis.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fdocument%2Fdata%2Fi140_fy2024_q4.xlsx&amp;wdOrigin=BROWSELINK\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/view.officeapps.live.com\/op\/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uscis.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fdocument%2Fdata%2Fi140_fy2024_q4.xlsx&amp;wdOrigin=BROWSELINK<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2024 EB-2 NIW approvals and denials: key insights and trends, <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Self-Petition USA, (Jan. 5, 2025), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.selfpetitionusa.com\/blog\/2024-eb-2-niw-approvals-and-denials-key-insights-and-trends\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/www.selfpetitionusa.com\/blog\/2024-eb-2-niw-approvals-and-denials-key-insights-and-trends<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, (last visited: Jan. 16, 2025).\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker by Fiscal Year, Quarter, and Case Status \u2013 Fiscal Year 2023, (Q1-Q4), <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">USCIS, (Oct. 2023), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/document\/data\/i-140_fy23_q4.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/document\/data\/i-140_fy23_q4.pdf<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker by Fiscal Year, Quarter, and Case Status \u2013 Fiscal Year 2022, (Q1-Q4), <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">USCIS, (Aug. 2022), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/document\/data\/I140_FY22_Q3.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Form I-140 by Fiscal Year, Quarter and Case Status (Fiscal Year 2022, 3rd Quarter, Apr. 1 &#8211; Jun. 30, 2022)<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">STEM-Related Petition Trends: EB-2 and O-1A Categories FY2017 \u2013 FY2023<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, USCIS, pg. 4-5, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/document\/reports\/stem_related_petition_trends_eb2_and_o1a_categories_factsheet_fy23.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/document\/reports\/stem_related_petition_trends_eb2_and_o1a_categories_factsheet_fy23.pdf<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Green and Spiegel, <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bolstering STEM Talent with the National Interest Waiver: How A 2022 Update Streamlines The Green Card Process<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Mondaq, (Jul. 19, 2024), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mondaq.com\/unitedstates\/general-immigration\/1527428\/bolstering-stem-talent-with-the-national-interest-waiver-how-a-2022-update-streamlines-the-green-card-process\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/www.mondaq.com\/unitedstates\/general-immigration\/1527428\/bolstering-stem-talent-with-the-national-interest-waiver-how-a-2022-update-streamlines-the-green-card-process<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, (Jan. 16, 2025).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Creimerman Product Team, <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Recent Updates for the EB-2 NIW<\/span><\/i> <i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Visa: An Overview for 2024, <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Creimerman Law, (Jul. 23, 2024), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.creimermanlaw.com\/post\/recent-updates-on-the-eb-2-niw-visa-an-overview-for-2024\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/www.creimermanlaw.com\/post\/recent-updates-on-the-eb-2-niw-visa-an-overview-for-2024<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, (last visited: Jan. 21, 2025).\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Victoria Robinson, <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How the EB-2 NIW Has Changed Over the Years \u2013 And What It Means for You, <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Veripass, (Nov. 11, 2024), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.veripass.org\/how-the-eb-2-niw-has-changed-over-the-years\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/blog.veripass.org\/how-the-eb-2-niw-has-changed-over-the-years\/<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, (last visited: Jan. 21, 2025).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">USCIS Updates Guidance on EB-2 National Interest Waiver Petitions<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, USCIS, (Jan. 15, 2025), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/newsroom\/alerts\/uscis-updates-guidance-on-eb-2-national-interest-waiver-petitions\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/newsroom\/alerts\/uscis-updates-guidance-on-eb-2-national-interest-waiver-petitions<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, (last visited: Jan. 21, 2025).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Helen Partlow, <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Navigating the Road Ahead: The Future of EB-2 NIW and EB-1A Under a Trump Administration, <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">LinkedIn, (Nov. 10, 2024), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/navigating-road-ahead-future-eb-2-niw-eb-1a-under-trump-helen-partlow-zuqoe\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/navigating-road-ahead-future-eb-2-niw-eb-1a-under-trump-helen-partlow-zuqoe\/<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, (last visited: Jan. 21, 2025).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Get a free case evaluation here. By Natalie McQuilkin\u00a0 Since its creation in 1990, the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) self-petition pathway has gone through many changes. This pathway was originally designed for exceptional professionals in STEM fields, but over time, it has encapsulated a wider range of highly skilled professionals in fields like healthcare, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2043,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2042","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-practice-areas"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>EB-2 NIW Trends and Key Tips for Self-Petitioning in 2025<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Since its creation in 1990, the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) self-petition pathway has gone through many changes. This pathway was originally designed for exceptional professionals in STEM fields, but over time, it has encapsulated a wider range of highly skilled professionals in fields like healthcare, education, and more. As we analyze the FY2024 (fiscal year) data for EB-2 NIW applications, we see that this self-petition pathway is continuing to evolve based on the applications that were approved and denied. In this post, we\u2019ll highlight the EB-2 NIW\u2019s FY2024 trends and what you can expect in FY2025 to increase your likelihood of approval.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/eaganimmigration.com\/en\/eb-2-niw-trends-and-key-tips-for-self-petitioning-in-2025\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"EB-2 NIW Trends and Key Tips for Self-Petitioning in 2025\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Since its creation in 1990, the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) self-petition pathway has gone through many changes. This pathway was originally designed for exceptional professionals in STEM fields, but over time, it has encapsulated a wider range of highly skilled professionals in fields like healthcare, education, and more. 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