If you are an accomplished professional planning to immigrate to the United States, you’ve likely heard of the EB1 and EB2-NIW visa categories. Both offer pathways to permanent residency (green cards), but one of the biggest deciding factors for applicants is how long the process takes.
In this article, we’ll break down the EB1 visa processing time and explain how it compares to EB2-NIW, so you can make a more informed decision about which category fits your profile and timeline.
What Is the EB1 Visa?
The EB1 visa is an employment-based immigrant visa for individuals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors or researchers, or multinational managers and executives. It’s considered one of the fastest ways to obtain a green card due to higher priority and lower demand compared to other categories.
Typical EB1 Visa Processing Time
While actual timelines can vary based on your country of chargeability and the workload at USCIS, here’s a general estimate:
- Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition): 4 to 10 months on average
- Premium Processing (Optional): 15 calendar days for a decision on I-140
- Adjustment of Status (Form I-485): 8 to 14 months on average if you’re applying from within the U.S.
- Consular Processing (if abroad): Add 6 to 12 months for U.S. Department of State interviews and background checks
Total Time: About 12 to 24 months, often faster if using premium processing and if the visa bulletin is current.
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What Is the EB2-NIW?
The EB2-NIW (National Interest Waiver) is a subcategory of the EB2 visa. It’s designed for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities who can prove their work benefits the U.S. on a national level. Unlike other EB2 routes, it waives the job offer and labor certification requirements.
Typical EB2-NIW Processing Time
- Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition): 10 to 18 months on average
- Adjustment of Status (Form I-485): 12 to 18 months on average
- No Premium Processing (as of now, though USCIS has been expanding it to more categories gradually)
Total Time: Usually 18 to 36 months depending on case complexity and backlog.
EB1 vs EB2-NIW: Processing Time Summary
| Step | EB1 | EB2-NIW |
| I-140 Processing | 4–10 months (15 days with premium) | 10–18 months (no premium) |
| I-485 Processing | 8–14 months | 12–18 months |
| Total Estimated Time | 12–24 months | 18–36 months |
As you can see, the EB1 visa processing time is generally much shorter than EB2-NIW, especially if you choose premium processing for your I-140 petition.
Which Category Should You Choose?
While the EB1 path is faster, it also has stricter eligibility criteria. It’s ideal if you:
- Have significant international recognition or major achievements in your field
- Can document your contributions through awards, publications, patents, or leadership roles
On the other hand, the EB2-NIW is better suited for:
- Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional skills
- Those whose work is clearly in the national interest of the U.S.
- Applicants who do not have a U.S. job offer or employer sponsorship
Final Thoughts
If time is your top priority, the EB1 visa is usually the faster route—especially with premium processing. However, if you don’t meet the high bar for EB1, the EB2-NIW offers a flexible self-petition option, even though it can take longer.
Before choosing a path, consider consulting an experienced USCIS-approved immigration attorney to evaluate your profile and help you build a strong petition.
