Does having relatives in the U.S. help or hurt an EB-2 NIW petition?

In the EB-2 NIW, having relatives in the United States neither hurts nor helps your eligibility. This visa category is evaluated on individual merit and the relevance of your work to the national interest of the country.

Because the focus is on your qualifications, your track record, and the impact of what you do, the presence of family members in the country generally does not affect the criteria or the merit required. Having relatives there may offer practical or emotional support during the move, but it is not a deciding factor in the approval of your petition.

It is worth distinguishing the pathways: there are immigration processes based on family reunification, where the family tie is precisely the central element. The EB-2 NIW follows a different logic, evaluating your achievements and whether your work can benefit the United States, regardless of whether you have relatives in the country or not.

Since every case has its own specifics, it is worth checking the updated USCIS guidelines and, if it makes sense, reviewing your profile with a specialist before deciding on the best path forward.

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.