Green card

Nonimmigrant visa

National Interest Waiver

Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge

Entrepreneurs, Researchers, Physicians, Industry experts, Innovators, STEM professionals

Specialized knowledge employees

• You must hold an advanced degree (master's or higher), possess a bachelor's degree plus five years of progressive work experience, or demonstrate exceptional ability in your field by showing at least 3 of 6 requirements, such as maintaining membership in professional associations and earning recognition for your contributions to your industry from peers or professional organizations.

• Demonstrate that you will work on a proposed endeavor with substantial merit and national importance, and provide evidence that you are well-positioned to advance this work.

• The U.S. position must require specialized knowledge (expertise that is distinct, advanced, and critical to the employer's operations).

• The U.S. sponsor must belong to a multinational group with a corporate presence in the U.S. and at least one other country.

• You must have been employed abroad as a manager, executive, or specialized knowledge worker by an entity of the multinational group for at least one year within the three years immediately preceding the visa application.

• Provides complete flexibility to work, live, and study in the U.S.

• Flexible requirements, making it suitable for a variety of profiles.

• Does not require employer sponsorship or a job offer, providing significant independence.

• Eliminates the need for the lengthy labor certification process.

• Enables international companies to transfer key employees with technical or proprietary knowledge that is hard to find in the U.S.

• Facilitates a smooth transition to permanent residency.

• Focuses on the employee's role within the company rather than their overall career accomplishments.

• Requires a high burden of proof to demonstrate both national interest and exceptional ability.

• USCIS has broad discretion in deciding whether your permanent residency aligns with the national interest.

• Offers fewer green card pathways compared to the L-1A.

• Requires at least 1 year of prior employment within the same corporate group, making it unsuitable for new hires.

• Maximum renewals are capped at 5 years.

• New companies are granted only a one-year initial visa, which must then be renewed.

• Employment is limited to the same corporate group, with no options to switch employers.

Not required

Required

Permanent residency

1-3 years

Every 10 years

2-year increments¹

24-30 months¹

1-3 months

45 business days

15 business days

Yes

Yes

¹Applicants from India, China, or Mexico may experience longer wait times.

¹Up to a total of 5 years in L-1B status.