NIW-EB2
To begin, the National Interest Waiver filing for pilots is a fairly complex process, primarily because there is typically not an advanced degree and it can be a challenge to satisfy the national interest requirement.
There is a rumor that commercial pilots are eligible for green cards under the National Interest Visa Waiver program. One rumor claimed that President Biden declared that because of a pilot shortage, it is in the national interest to hire foreign pilots. This is simply not true.
To entice commercial pilots to apply for a green card, there is information that has been posted online that demonstrates that pilots can meet the exceptional ability criteria and do not require an advanced degree to apply for a National Interest Waiver. While this may be true for many pilots, the exceptional ability requirement is only the minimum qualification and the threshold issue.
Once an individual can establish they meet the exceptional ability threshold, they must then establish that they qualify for the waiver. The biggest hurdle to overcome is being able to establish national interest. To meet this prong you must be making contributions to your field beyond your employer that have a broader impact on your field. This is typically shown for researchers through peer-reviewed publications and citations, showing that others are relying on their work. For commercial pilots, this can be difficult to establish. The work of a commercial pilot is typically in the interest of their employer and their work is not having an impact beyond the airline and the passengers they fly. The scope of the impact is too narrow to be in the national interest. Where we have had witnessed success meeting the national interest for pilots is in cases where they are working as medivac pilots flying in medically underserved areas or hard-hit areas during COVID. Pilot instructors who teach others to become pilots to lessen the impact of the pilot shortage. Pilots working in some capacity with the U.S. government, such as test pilots. Pilots working in a safety capacity, including accident investigation. Flying as a commercial pilot by itself does not meet this standard.
We have heard of some cases for commercial pilots being approved. However, these cases, if true, are going to be the exception to the rule. The vast majority of commercial pilot cases will be denied. The worst thing we are hearing is that some pilots are filing both an I-140 and I-485 concurrently. While this may get you an employment authorization to work in the U.S. while your case is pending. If the I-140 is denied, you will lose your work authorization and you will have to leave the country. Also, since you have made a declaration of immigrant intent it can be difficult to obtain a non-immigrant visa to the U.S. in the future.
The best way for a commercial pilot to get a green card is through employer sponsorship. Airlines who have a shortage are can take advantage of the EB2 - PERM process. Additionally, pilots from Australia can get a temporary non-immigrant E3 visa to fly commercially in the U.S.
Summary:
The rumor that Commercial Pilots qualify for an NIW based on the pilot shortage is false. There is no “Pilot Green Card”. Commercial pilots need to typically be sponsored by an employer for an employment visa and they can also be sponsored by an employer for a green card. Certain airlines occasionally are sponsoring foreign pilots for H1B visas through the H1B lottery. To qualify for an NIW a pilot must have additional skills and qualifications that would be deemed to be in the national interest and they would need to have a letter from a U.S. employer expressing an interest in hiring them in that capacity (instructor, safety, accident investigation, etc.). We have received hundreds of inquiries from pilots but only a handful have any chance of success. Where the confusion lies is that there were articles published that suggested pilots meet the exceptional ability standards without an advanced degree. While that may be the case, meeting the exceptional ability criteria is just the beginning. From there the pilot needs to either be sponsored (EB2 – PERM) or if they can satisfy the requirements to qualify under the national interest, they can self sponsor. Flying for a commercial carrier is not in the national interest