Many foreign researchers are unaware of the fact that they can petition for Permanent Residency without the support of their employer through a process called a national interest waiver. In fact, an applicant under this category can apply under Employment Based (EB-2) Second Preference (INA §203(b)(2), 8 U.S.C. §1153(b)(2)), 8 C.F.R. §204.5(k) and use concurrent…