"Self-petition" trips people up because it means two different things. The National Interest Waiver is a self-petition category — it waives the job offer, so you don't need an employer to sponsor you and you file the I-140 for yourself. Filing pro se — preparing the petition and its Dhanasar argument yourself instead of hiring an attorney — is a separate choice.
Based on 742 tracked cases on NIWStats with a known filing method.
How self-filed cases were decided
Self-filed and attorney-filed cases side by side, as of September 2026.
| Filed | Decided | Approved | Denied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-filed | 39 | 18 | 21 |
| With an attorney | 113 | 72 | 41 |
Based on 742 tracked cases on NIWStats. Decided = shared while pending and decided between Jul 2026 and Sep 2026. Counts, not a rate: self-filers and attorney cases differ in field and profile.
Recent self-filed decisions
The newest decisions on self-filed cases tracked on NIWStats.
Decision week and filing month shown, not exact dates. All self-filed cases →
Who goes it alone
Share of tracked cases filed without an attorney, by profile.
How an NIW self-petition works
What you file
Form I-140, requesting EB-2 classification with a national interest waiver. Form I-907 is optional and adds premium processing. No PERM labor certification. Current fees at USCIS.
What USCIS weighs
First, EB-2 eligibility: an advanced degree or exceptional ability. Then the three Matter of Dhanasar prongs:
- The proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance.
- You are well positioned to advance it.
- On balance, waiving the job offer and labor certification benefits the United States.
What tracked petitions reported, by degree, publications and citations: EB2-NIW requirements.
What usually goes in
A petition letter arguing each prong, a CV, degree evidence, recommendation letters, and evidence of your record and plans. Details on the USCIS EB-2 page.
What comes next
A decision or a Request for Evidence. See premium processing timing and how RFEs play out.
Every number on this page comes from cases tracked against USCIS on NIWStats; cases compiled from public posts aren't counted here. Not official USCIS statistics, and not legal advice. How we collect & count →
EB2-NIW self-petition FAQ
Can I file EB2-NIW without a lawyer?
Yes — no employer or attorney is required. Among 742 tracked cases on NIWStats, 155 were self-filed and 587 used an attorney.
Do self-petitioned NIW cases get approved?
Some are. Of the self-filed cases tracked on NIWStats and decided between Jul 2026 and Sep 2026, 18 were approved and 21 denied. Attorney-filed cases in the same period: 72 approved, 41 denied.
Do self-filers get more RFEs?
Among tracked cases on NIWStats, 83 of 155 self-filed cases and 275 of 587 attorney-filed cases have received an RFE so far. Pending cases can still get one.
Do I need an employer to sponsor an NIW?
No. The National Interest Waiver waives the job-offer and labor-certification requirement, so you petition for yourself — that's what "self-petition" refers to.
See how self-filers and attorney cases went
Filter by filing method, field, and profile, with RFE history and timeline attached.
Explore the cases