What Is the National Interest Waiver Application Process?
The National Interest Waiver adjudication process rarely involves an interview with USCIS. As such, we require all clients to write a personal statement in support of their petition. This gives applicants the opportunity to fully explain their situation to the adjudicating officer.
The statement can comprehensively demonstrate:
- Qualifications
- Achievements
- Reputation
- And other evidence of their work advancing the United States’ interests
When we help our clients draft their personal statements, we provide candid and direct counsel. We have an in-depth understanding of what USCIS needs to see in order to grant a National Interest Waiver, and we use this knowledge to help our clients succeed.
This evaluation and preparation process is critical because we need the USCIS examiner to understand exactly why each client’s work is important to improving the nation’s economy, education, or overall wellbeing.
In addition to the personal statement, a successful National Interest Waiver petition includes:
- All publications, whether from Conference Abstracts or, more importantly, international peer reviewed journals (including the journal’s impact ratings)
- Books/chapters
- Citations of the petitioner’s work
- Presentational international conferences, whether as a keynote speaker or publication of an abstract or poster
- Comments on the petitioner’s published works by critics/journal referees
- Proof of the petitioner acting as a referee, reviewer, or judge
- Requests for reprints of the petitioner’s publications
- Patents
- Evidence of awards or honors received (e.g. scholarships, travel awards, etc.)
- Membership in professional associations
- Use of the petitioner’s work by others in academia, research, or commercial activities
- Details of the funding for the petitioner’s research projects or grants
- Press coverage of the petitioner’s work in popular media, including newspapers, magazines, internet, or television
- Recommendation letters from experts in the petitioner’s field attesting to the impact of their work
National Interest Waiver Letters of Recommendation
Recommendation letters should be written both by those who know the petitioner personally, and especially by those who do not know the petitioner personally but rather through their reputation. These letters are of the utmost importance in obtaining a National Interest Waiver.
These letters should elucidate the applicant’s impact in their field. While being a diligent and hardworking team player may be important in hiring for a job, it does not support eligibility for a National Interest Waiver.
The letters of recommendation should not just say that the petitioner discovered something or devised a new method—instead, the letters should detail HOW the petitioner’s discoveries and methods are actually used by other people. This is necessary because USCIS examiners generally do not find discoveries sufficient. USCIS examiners look for the applicant’s importance in the field, which can be evidenced by the fact that other people, places, or institutions are using what the applicant discovered.
Our attorneys are looking for quality as opposed to quantity, but we still want to get as many letters as possible. You will have the greatest level of success if you can obtain letters from experts both in and out of the United States.
What Our Team Can Do for You
The Fleischer Law Firm LLC provides clients with samples of strong recommendation letters and personal statements, as well as unparalleled insight into the exceedingly complicated process of filing for a National Interest Waiver.
We have obtained National Interest Waivers for innumerable clients, including:
- Research scientists
- Physicists
- Physicians
- Historic scholars
- Engineers
- Dancers
- Musicians
- And many other occupations
If you want the highest possible likelihood of success, retain support from The Fleischer Law Firm LLC. Call (513) 880-9969 or contact us online to put our decades of experience to work for you.
