Do indirect costs need to be included in an EB-2 NIW petition?

It helps to correct the underlying assumption: the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) is a category based on professional merit, not a funding or investment application. There is no requirement to account for indirect costs (administrative expenses, infrastructure, support staff) in your petition.

That kind of project-budget logic belongs to other contexts, such as grant applications or investor visas. In an EB-2 NIW, the authority does not review cost spreadsheets: the focus is the merit and national importance of your work, and your ability to carry it out.

Rather than detailing costs, your petition effort is better spent gathering evidence of impact, such as:

• Publications, awards, citations, and recognition of your contributions.
• Concrete results from projects you have led.
• Letters from experts attesting to the relevance of your work.

If your specific case includes a work plan or venture, it makes sense to show it is viable, but still without the administrative burden of indirect cost allocation. To confirm what belongs in your petition, consult USCIS guidance or an immigration professional.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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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.