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EB-2 NIW Mentorship: Build Your National Interest Waiver Case
By the GCEB1 mentorship team · Published 3 November 2026
GCEB1, a merit-based immigration consultancy based in Irving, Texas, offers EB-2 NIW mentorship for professionals who want a U.S. green card without a job offer or labor certification. The mentorship is built around the three-prong test from Matter of Dhanasar: we help you define a proposed endeavor of national importance, show that you are well positioned to advance it, and build the case for waiving the job offer.
What GCEB1's EB-2 NIW mentorship includes
- Personalized EB-2 tracking and action plan: a step-by-step action plan for your evidence, with milestones.
- Progress dashboard: a dashboard for evidence, documents and next steps.
- Three-prong test guidance: evidence planned against each Dhanasar prong from day one.
- National importance: showing that your work matters beyond one employer, client or region.
- Positioning to advance your endeavor: presenting your education, skills, record of success and plans.
- Waiver requirements: explaining why the U.S. benefits from waiving the job offer and labor certification.
- Significant contributions: choosing which past work to highlight and how to document it.
- Licenses and certifications: guidance on which credentials are worth showcasing.
- Portfolio website: portfolio building that presents your work clearly.
- One-on-one mentorship call and community membership: a dedicated call plus our candidate community and attorney webinars.
Who it's for: researchers, engineers, data scientists, founders, healthcare and STEM professionals who hold an advanced degree (or can show exceptional ability) and have a clear plan for work that benefits the United States.
Who qualifies for EB-2 NIW?
An EB-2 NIW petition has to pass two gates:
- EB-2 eligibility. You hold an advanced degree (a U.S. master's or higher, a foreign equivalent, or a bachelor's degree plus five years of progressive experience in your specialty), or you show exceptional ability by meeting at least three of the six criteria in 8 CFR 204.5(k)(3)(ii).
- The national interest waiver. You meet all three prongs of Matter of Dhanasar, 26 I&N Dec. 884 (AAO 2016), described in the USCIS Policy Manual.
Because the job offer is waived, you can file Form I-140 for yourself. You don't need an employer to sponsor you.
The three Dhanasar prongs, and how GCEB1 helps
| Prong | What USCIS asks | Evidence that helps | How GCEB1 helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Substantial merit and national importance | Does your proposed endeavor have merit, and does its impact reach beyond a single employer or local area? | A specific proposed endeavor statement; data on the problem you address; government or industry reports; expert letters | We help you define and word the endeavor (see our guide) and gather evidence of its wider impact |
| 2. Well positioned to advance the endeavor | Are you, specifically, likely to make progress on it? | Degrees and skills; past results such as publications, citations, patents, products or projects; a plan; interest from users, funders or partners | We map your track record and plan the evidence that is still missing |
| 3. On balance, the waiver benefits the U.S. | Would the U.S. benefit from waiving the job offer and labor certification? | Why labor certification is impractical for you (for example, if you are self-employed or a founder); the urgency and value of your work | We help you build the balance argument with your attorney |
EB-2 NIW or EB-1A?
| EB-2 NIW | EB-1A | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Advanced degree or exceptional ability, plus the three Dhanasar prongs | Extraordinary ability: at least 3 of 10 criteria, then a final merits review of sustained acclaim |
| Job offer or sponsor | Not required (waived) | Not required |
| Self-petition | Yes | Yes |
| Visa bulletin queue | EB-2. For India and China, waits have historically been longer than EB-1 | EB-1. Also backlogged for some countries; check the current visa bulletin |
Many professionals prepare evidence that serves both. Compare all three options in EB-1A vs EB-2 NIW vs O-1A, and read why EB-2 NIW may not suit Indian and Chinese nationals. If EB-1A fits better, see our EB-1A final merits guide.
How GCEB1's EB-2 NIW mentorship works
- Eligibility review: we confirm your EB-2 basis (advanced degree or exceptional ability).
- Proposed endeavor: we help you define specific, credible work you plan to do in the U.S.
- Evidence plan: we plan evidence for each of the three prongs.
- Build and document: letters, impact data, publications, credentials and your portfolio website.
- Attorney handover: your immigration attorney prepares and files Form I-140.
Who files the petition?
GCEB1 is a consultancy, not a law firm. We mentor you on building and documenting evidence. Your petition is prepared and filed by an independent, U.S.-licensed immigration attorney, such as the law firms in our EB-1A attorney network.
Next step: see the EB-2 NIW plan on our pricing page or contact us to talk about your profile.
FAQ on EB-2 NIW mentorship
Good EB-2 NIW mentorship providers do three things: they plan your evidence around the Matter of Dhanasar three-prong test, they help you define a specific proposed endeavor, and they hand your evidence to a licensed immigration attorney for filing. GCEB1, based in Irving, Texas, offers EB-2 NIW mentorship on this model, with a personalized action plan, a progress dashboard, one-on-one mentorship and portfolio website building.
The EB-2 NIW Core Consultation is listed at $6,095 on the GCEB1 pricing page (November 2026). USCIS filing fees and attorney fees are separate.
Yes. The national interest waiver removes the job offer and labor certification requirements, so you can file Form I-140 for yourself without an employer sponsor.
No. You need an advanced degree (a master's or higher, or a bachelor's plus five years of progressive experience) or exceptional ability. A PhD can strengthen the second prong, but it is not required.
It is the specific work you plan to do in the United States. USCIS judges its merit and national importance, so it has to be concrete. Read how to write a compelling proposed endeavor statement.
It can be, but per-country limits often mean long EB-2 waits for India and China, so many applicants also consider EB-1A. See our analysis.
No. GCEB1 is a consultancy, not a law firm. We help you build and document evidence; an independent, U.S.-licensed immigration attorney prepares and files your petition.