December 9, 2023

Fighting Pandemics Together: How the EB-2 NIW Visa is Encouraging Public Health Professionals to Come to the US

The US is actively encouraging public health researchers, professionals, and entrepreneurs to help fight pandemics through the EB-2 NIW visa. Learn more here.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it abundantly clear that a robust pandemic preparedness and response policy is absolutely essential for ensuring global health security.

As such, the US government has taken steps to counter biological threats and enhance pandemic preparedness. In line with this mission, public health researchers, professionals, and entrepreneurs play a critical role in fighting pandemics.

These experts bring unique skills, knowledge, and experience to the table that can help mitigate the effects of pandemics. From developing effective vaccines and medications to designing public health interventions, their contributions are invaluable.

With the current spotlight on pandemic preparedness and response, it’s no surprise that many such professionals are seeking ways to come to the US and aid in this effort.

Enter the EB-2 NIW visa. This visa is being used to attract public health researchers, professionals, and entrepreneurs to the US and encourage them to contribute to pandemic preparedness.

So what exactly is the EB-2 NIW visa, and is it the right choice for you? Let’s take a closer look.

What is EB-2 NIW?

The EB-2 NIW visa, or National Interest Waiver, is a type of employment-based visa that allows individuals with advanced degrees, exceptional ability, or outstanding achievements to work and live in the US without having to go through the traditional labor certification process.

In essence, this visa allows these talented individuals to skip the difficult, time-consuming and sometimes expensive process of securing a sponsor for their visa.

As it relates to public health researchers/professionals/entrepreneurs, the EB-2 NIW visa is a great way for them to contribute to pandemic preparedness and response in the US. In order to be eligible for the EB-2 NIW visa, these individuals must meet specific criteria.

They must have:

• An advanced degree in their field (such as a Master’s degree) OR exceptional ability in their area of expertise.
• Evidence that their presence in the US will benefit the national interest of the country.
• A track record of significant contributions in their field (such as publications, awards, etc.).

One of the biggest advantages of the EB-2 NIW visa is that it doesn’t require a job offer or sponsor. This means that public health researchers/professionals/entrepreneurs can apply for the visa even before securing a job in the US.

After approval of the EB-2 NIW petition, the applicant cany apply for a green card and become a permanent resident of the US.

EB-2 NIW and the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy

The Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy has identified several key areas of focus for strengthening our preparedness and response capabilities – namely those in public health, healthcare systems, economic and supply chain resilience, scientific research and development, and international preparedness and response.

The White House has outlined key priorities in securing funding to improve data collection, support new FDA Processes in regulatory review, and more. The ultimate goal of these initiatives are to keep us all healthy and to prevent economic and educational shutdowns.

Public health researchers, professionals, and entrepreneurs are critically important in advancing all of these areas, which is why the White House has also made it a goal to strengthen the public health workforce.

Public health researchers can conduct research to better understand the epidemiology of diseases and how they spread, while epidemiologists study the spread of diseases and develop modeling to understand how pandemics can be controlled. Healthcare professionals work on developing treatments and vaccines, while public health researchers focus on preventative measures such as education and awareness campaigns.

Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, can innovate new technologies and solutions to address emerging threats, and public health professionals can develop policies to mitigate risks and prevent the spread of disease.

In past pandemics such as Ebola and H1N1, these public health professionals played a critical role.

For instance, healthcare professionals worked relentlessly to provide medical care and treatments in the fight against Ebola. At the same time, public health researchers worked on developing a vaccine to combat the H1N1 virus. These contributions demonstrate the importance of public health researchers/professionals/entrepreneurs in pandemic preparedness and response.

By encouraging these skilled individuals to come to the US, the EB-2 NIW visa is helping to create a more robust and effective response to pandemics. It’s not only beneficial for the US – but also for these individuals and their countries of origin, as they can bring back their newfound knowledge and skills to help combat threats in their own communities.

The Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy and EB-2 NIW Visa

The Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy encourages public health professionals to come to the US and contribute to pandemic preparedness.

Moreover, the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) visa has been used to attract and retain skilled professionals in various fields, including public health. This visa allows qualified immigrants to obtain permanent residence without an employer sponsor, provided they work in an occupation that benefits the US national interest. As you might expect, pandemic preparedness is one of these areas.

The benefits of encouraging public health professionals to come to the US through the EB-2 NIW visa are numerous.

First, these professionals bring much-needed skills and knowledge to the US healthcare industry. They also contribute to American innovations and advancements in public health technologies. And, of course, their contributions aid in enhancing America’s pandemic preparedness and response capabilities.

The Next Steps

The benefits of attracting these professionals to the US are clear. Not only do they help prepare the nation for future pandemics, but they also contribute to the economy and global research efforts.

If you’re one of these professionals, Lindpere Legal is here to help. Henry Lindpere, the lead attorney at Lindpere Legal, has seen firsthand the success of this program – helping epidemiologists, vaccine researchers, and even an innovative entrepreneur without a college degree obtain the visa.

It’s clear that these public health professionals are essential in keeping us safe during pandemics. By offering support and opportunities, the US government can continue to attract top talent and stay ahead of the curve, ensuring the safety of its citizens and the world.

Let’s keep working together to stay ahead of this ever-evolving threat. Contact Lindpere Legal today if you’re curious about how to go about applying for your EB-2 NIW Visa.