Do I need to include my high school transcripts?

Generally, no. The EB-2 NIW is designed for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in their field, so the core documentation typically centers on higher education credentials and evidence of your achievements, not high school records.

What supports the petition is evidence of your qualifications and the impact of your work. In that context, elements such as the following tend to carry more weight:

• Undergraduate and graduate degrees, where applicable.
• Publications, awards, patents, or other milestones in your field.
• Recommendation letters and expert opinions attesting to the significance of your work.

This does not mean supplementary documents are never requested: every case has its own specifics, and the reviewing authority may ask for additional items depending on the applicant’s profile. Even so, high school transcripts rarely add value to an EB-2 NIW petition.

Because requirements can vary from case to case, it is worth reviewing the current guidelines from USCIS or consulting a specialist before assembling your application package.

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.