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United StatesPermanent residenceLast checked October 16, 2026

EB-2 National Interest Waiver

The EB-2 category is for advanced-degree professionals or people with exceptional ability. With a National Interest Waiver (NIW), USCIS waives the job offer and labor certification, so you can self-petition on Form I-140. You must show your specific endeavour has substantial merit and national importance, you are well placed to advance it, and on balance waiving the usual requirements benefits the US. Getting the green card then depends on the visa bulletin date for your country of birth.

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3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Entry restrictions apply to 40 passports for United States

The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.

  • Afghanistan
  • Angola
  • Antigua & Barbuda
  • Benin
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Chad
  • Côte d’Ivoire
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Laos
  • Libya
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Myanmar (Burma)
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Palestinian Territories
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Turkmenistan
  • Venezuela
  • Yemen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Source: Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (Federal Register, 10 Jun 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States (Federal Register, 19 Dec 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 full text (GovInfo)Source: U.S. Department of State - Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United StatesSource: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY2027 (Federal Register, 2 Oct 2026) - cites Proclamation 10998 as in force

Life in United States

Money

3

Currency

US Dollar

USD

US Dollar

Cost of living

100

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

10–37%

Income tax (national)

social security 7.65%

Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.8

#22 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

Your edge here Members

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Who it’s for

Researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs and other professionals with an advanced degree (or exceptional ability) whose own work has broad national importance.

Eligibility

  • Advanced degree professionalAdvanced degree route

    You need a US degree above a bachelor's, a foreign equivalent, or a bachelor's plus 5 years of progressive experience in the specialty.

    • The occupation must be a profession needing at least a bachelor's
    Official wording

    A US degree above a bachelor's or a foreign equivalent, or a bachelor's plus at least 5 years of progressive experience in the specialty after the degree. The occupation must be a profession needing at least a bachelor's.

  • Exceptional abilityExceptional ability route

    Show expertise significantly above the norm in the sciences, arts or business, meeting at least 3 of 6 criteria.

    Criteria to meet

    Criteria needed
    3 of 6
    Experience exampleone possible criterion
    10 years
    • Examples: related degree, licence, high pay
    • Examples: professional membership, peer recognition
    Official wording

    Expertise significantly above the norm in the sciences, arts or business, shown by at least 3 of 6 criteria, such as a related degree, 10 years' experience, a licence, high pay, professional membership, or peer recognition.

  • Prong 1: merit and national importance

    Your specific proposed endeavour must have substantial merit and national importance, with impact beyond a single employer or client.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementProng 2: well positioned
  • Document checklistForm I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers
  • FeesForm I-140 (paper)

The full requirements are for members

Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.

  • 5 more requirements
  • 10 documents
  • 8 fees
  • 8 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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Places to visit in United States

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