Does having worked in a country other than my home country help demonstrate international experience?

Yes. Working in more than one country can help evidence a career with international reach, and this tends to add weight in the EB-2 NIW. It is not a formal requirement of the category, but it functions as supporting evidence that your work and reputation cross borders.

In the EB-2 NIW, what matters is showing that your work has merit and importance that serve U.S. national interests, and that you are well positioned to continue it. Experience in different countries can reinforce that argument by demonstrating adaptability, collaboration across diverse contexts, and recognition from peers and institutions in more than one place.

For that track record to carry real weight, it is worth documenting it concretely:

• Projects, positions, or collaborations carried out outside your home country.
• Results, publications, or recognitions obtained in those settings.
• References and expert opinions that confirm the reach of your work.

Keep in mind that international experience is just one of several elements and that each case is assessed individually. It is worth reviewing the current criteria with USCIS or with a specialist when preparing your petition file.

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.