The EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) and H1B are two of the most popular paths for skilled foreign nationals in the US. Here is the complete comparison: **H1B: Employer-sponsored work visa** - Requires employer sponsorship — you cannot self-petition - Subject to 85,000 annual cap + lottery - Valid 3 years, extendable to 6 (and beyond if PERM/I-140 is pending) - Fastest path to work authorization if you have an employer willing to sponsor - Does NOT require extraordinary ability **EB-2 NIW: Self-petition immigrant visa** - No employer required — you petition for yourself - No annual cap per se, but subject to visa backlogs by country of birth - Requires demonstrating your work has substantial merit and national importance - Indian nationals face multi-decade wait due to country backlog - No lottery — file anytime **Who benefits from NIW over H1B?** Researchers, scientists, physicians (especially those willing to work in underserved areas), engineers with significant publications or patents, and any professional who cannot find a willing H1B sponsor. **Who should stick with H1B?** Anyone who has an employer willing to sponsor and is not from India/China backlog countries. H1B + employer PERM sponsorship is faster for green card than self-petitioned NIW for most people.