Does attending entrepreneurship fairs in Silicon Valley count as evidence?

Attending entrepreneurship fairs in Silicon Valley can indeed be included as evidence in an EB-2 NIW petition, especially if you can demonstrate the prestige of those events and their relevance to your field. The weight of this evidence, however, tends to be stronger when it does not stand alone.

Being present at this type of event helps establish your connection to an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, which reinforces the narrative that your work engages with the most dynamic developments in your area. That said, national importance is assessed based on the overall body of your contributions, not on a single activity.

To strengthen your case, the ideal approach is to combine this participation with other evidence, such as:

• Publications, awards, and patents related to your work.
• Recommendation letters from experts in the field.
• Innovative contributions with demonstrable impact.

Since each case is reviewed individually, it is worth checking the updated criteria with USCIS and consulting a trusted professional about how to incorporate this experience into a consistent portfolio.

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.