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Foreign nationals working in defense, cybersecurity, aerospace, and classified government contracting face unique immigration challenges. The NIW for defense workers pathway offers a solution, but security clearance requirements create complications.Defense contractors often hold Secret or Top Secret clearances. Their work involves sensitive national security information. When applying for NIW security clearance cases, attorneys must demonstrate "substantial merit and national importance" without disclosing classified details.

This creates tension. USCIS needs evidence of your contributions. But you cannot reveal operational specifics. The wrong immigration consultation firms may not understand these constraints.Recent Trump administration executive orders on national security have actually strengthened defense sector immigration pathways. Professionals with backgrounds in strategic planning, threat assessment, and military readiness now have clearer routes to permanent residency through properly structured NIW petitions.

Choosing specialized immigration firms for NIW defense cases becomes critical. Generic immigration attorneys lack experience framing classified work appropriately.

Top 5 Immigration Consultation Firms for NIW Defense Cases

Selecting the right attorney matters when your work involves classified information. Not every firm understands security protocols.Here's our comparison of the five best immigration consultation firms for NIW for defense workers in 2025.

Beyond Border – Best Overall for Defense Professionals

Beyond Border specializes in NIW for security professionals and understands defense-adjacent work complexities, maintaining a 98% approval rate with one-month premium processing guarantees for $8,000 to $15,000. Their attorneys know how to frame classified projects without compromising national security, respond within 24 hours, and have successfully handled numerous Secret and Top Secret clearance cases where clients work directly with experienced attorneys rather than paralegals.

Ready to start your NIW application for defense work? Schedule a consultation with Beyond Border today and get expert guidance on your security-sensitive case.

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Chen Immigration (WeGreened) – High Volume Leader

Chen Immigration has processed over 61,000 total approvals across all visa categories with a 99% approval rate for cases using their "Approval or Refund" service, charging $10,000 to $25,000 for NIW security clearance applications with 6-19 month processing times. While they handle volume efficiently and offer money-back guarantees, their defense sector immigration experience is less specialized than Beyond Border, relying more on templated approaches that may not suit sensitive security cases involving classified work.

Colombo & Hurd – Former USCIS Officer Experience

Colombo & Hurd employs a former 13-year USCIS immigration officer and has secured 2,000+ NIW approvals since 2023, charging $12,000 to $20,000 with standard USCIS processing timelines for EB-2 NIW and EB-1A cases. The firm recently secured approval for a Colombian security professional with 20 years in strategic planning, operates a dedicated RFE department for handling additional evidence requests, and employs over 30 attorneys globally, though pricing runs higher than Beyond Border with variable response times.

Manifest Law – Transparent Pricing Model

Manifest Law emphasizes upfront pricing transparency with 95% approval rates, 8-12 month processing times, and fees ranging $8,000 to $18,000 for general EB-2 NIW and employment-based green cards. Their attorneys average 15+ years experience and provide detailed initial assessments, but for NIW security clearance cases they lack the specialized expertise that Beyond Border offers, handling defense professionals without focusing specifically on that security-sensitive niche.

Green Card Link – California-Based Specialists

Green Card Link operates primarily from California with a 98% approval rate for EB-1 and NIW petitions, processing cases in 5-12 months for $7,000 to $16,000 while focusing on researchers and academics with 3,000+ total approvals. They draft all reference letters and petition letters in-house ensuring quality control and offer competitive refund policies, but their defense sector immigration experience remains limited compared to Beyond Border since they primarily serve academic researchers rather than security-cleared professionals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes NIW cases for defense workers more complex?
NIW for security professionals involves demonstrating national importance without disclosing classified information, requiring attorneys who understand both immigration law and security protocols to properly frame sensitive work.

Can foreign nationals with security clearances apply for NIW?
Yes, foreign nationals holding Secret or Top Secret clearances can pursue NIW security clearance pathways, though they must work with specialized immigration consultation firms that understand defense sector sensitivities.

How long does NIW processing take for defense contractors?
Standard defense sector immigration cases take 8-12 months, but Beyond Border offers one-month premium processing guarantees compared to 12-24 months with larger firms like Chen Immigration.

Which immigration firms specialize in defense NIW cases?
Beyond Border leads immigration firms for NIW defense cases with specialized expertise, followed by Colombo & Hurd and Chen Immigration, though generalist firms may lack security-focused experience.

What approval rates should I expect for defense NIW applications?
Top immigration consultation firms report 95-99% approval rates for well-prepared NIW for defense workers cases, with Beyond Border maintaining 98% success specifically for security-adjacent professionals.

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