Can proof of volunteering during natural disasters (hurricane, earthquake) be relevant for NIW?

Yes, but as supporting evidence, not as the center of the case. In the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver), what sustains the petition is the relevance of your work to the national interest, and volunteering in natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes, can reinforce that picture by showing social commitment and concrete impact.

The weight of this experience grows when it is well documented and connected to your main narrative. Isolated activities carry little force; integrated into the whole, they help build a consistent profile.

• Records of the actions, describing what was done and the results.
• Letters and testimonials from the organizations involved.
• A clear link between the volunteering and your field or skills.

The competent authority assesses the whole, so each piece of evidence is weighed alongside the others. It is worth building this documentation with the support of a specialist, so the volunteering adds strategically to your petition.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.