What is an EB-2 NIW Visa for Academics? How to Obtain It?

By Ergul Celiksoy, Immigration Attorney at CK Law Firm

Individuals who have built a career in academia can take advantage of the opportunity to live and work in the United States through the EB-2 NIW visa. This way, they can obtain residence and work permits in the US for themselves, their spouses, and their children under 21. Commonly referred to as the “academic visa,” this visa allows you to get a permanent residence permit (green card) and move to the US, and you can become a citizen after five years. By reading this article, you will find answers to the following questions:

• What is the educational level required for academics to apply for the EB-2 NIW visa?
• What documents do academics need to submit for the EB-2 NIW application?

The EB-2 NIW visa is a type of visa that allows professionals with an academic career (such as faculty members, professors, associate professors, assistant professors, etc.) to apply without needing a job offer or sponsorship from a US employer if they intend to work in the US.

What is the educational level required for individuals with an academic career to apply for the EB-2 NIW?

The primary requirement to apply for the EB-2 NIW visa is an advanced degree, meaning:

• A master’s or doctoral degree in your field, or
• A bachelor’s degree plus five years of experience.

Meeting the advanced degree requirement necessitates a high level of education in the professional field, and the applicant must possess this level. The clearest indicator of meeting this criterion is having a master’s or doctoral degree in the field.

Individuals who do not have a master’s or doctoral degree but have a bachelor’s degree in the field and have worked in a significant position in the field for at least five years are also considered to meet this requirement. However, in this case, solid evidence of work experience in the field (various educational certificates, achievements in the field, academic publications, etc.) must be included in the application letter. Clear evidence showing that the applicant will benefit national employment in the field, has contributed to significant projects, and has achieved professional success will also be considered.

What documents do academics need to submit for the EB-2 NIW application?

When applying for the EB-2 NIW visa as an academic, the following documents can support your application:

• Publications: Publications in national and international academic journals. Being a sole or first author is advantageous.
• Citations: Citations to your publications, visible on Google Scholar. While there is no ideal number, the more, the better.
• Research Activities, Funding, and Academic Project Participation: Participation in any project related to your field of expertise. For example, receiving support from TÜBİTAK or BAP from universities. Even without financial support, participating in or supporting projects related to the field is advantageous.
• Conference Participation and Presentations: Academic presentations, either summaries or full texts, related to your field of expertise.
• Journal Editorship, Peer Reviews, and Jury Duties: Serving as an editor, assistant editor, or member of the scientific board in academic journals, peer reviews, and jury duties for master’s or doctoral theses provide significant advantages.
• Certificates: Certificates of education related to the field, including online education.
• Awards, Achievements, and Acknowledgments: Certificates received during and after undergraduate studies, especially in professional life (optional but advantageous).
• Work History: Places and positions worked in the field of expertise to date. If you have had additional duties (such as working as an administrator while being a doctor, or serving on a committee while being an academic), these can also be included to strengthen the application.
• Memberships: Memberships in professional associations/institutions related to your field of expertise. Memberships are sometimes annual, so they can be obtained close to the application time. For example, the Istanbul Medical Chamber for doctors or the American Association of Orthodontists for orthodontists.
• Media Appearances: Appearances in local, national, or international news channels/newspapers/websites related to your field of expertise. In this case, your expert opinion or work related to any issue in your field should be highlighted. This criterion is rarely met by applicants and is not mandatory but provides a significant advantage.

The EB-2 NIW visa offers individuals with an academic career the opportunity to live and work permanently in the USA. The required documents and evidence for this visa type must be carefully prepared, and professional support should be obtained at every stage of the application process. We can manage the entire process for you, leaving you to plan your dreams in the USA. You can find out if you qualify for EB-2 NIW with our free consultation service by contacting us through cklawfirm.org, emailing info@cklawfirm.org, or reaching out directly on LinkedIn. All you need to do is send us your CV. We will review your CV and get back to you within 24 hours.

Who is Attorney Dr. Ergül Çeliksoy?

Attorney Dr. Ergül Çeliksoy is a co-founder of CK Law Firm. Dr. Çeliksoy has extensive experience in U.S. immigration law. He completed his master’s degree in international law and human rights at the University of Nottingham in 2017 and began his doctoral studies at the same university. Dr. Çeliksoy completed his Ph.D. in law at the University of Nottingham School of Law in 2022, crowning his academic career. Dr. Çeliksoy has published in leading academic journals and is internationally recognized for his expertise in modern slavery, criminal justice, and criminal law. A registered member of the California Bar, Dr. Çeliksoy provides superior service to his clients with his deep knowledge and experience in U.S. immigration law cases. His knowledge and experience in immigration law contribute valuable insights to CK Law Firm’s work in this area.

Dr. Çeliksoy offers comprehensive and strategic solutions to his clients in immigration law cases, helping them secure their legal status in the United States. His work in human rights and immigration processes, along with his deep knowledge of modern slavery and criminal law, allows Dr. Çeliksoy to effectively resolve the complex legal issues faced by immigrants. Dr. Çeliksoy strengthens CK Law Firm’s leadership in immigration law by providing reliable and effective legal counsel, helping his clients build their new lives in the United States.