How do I document costs for recommendation letters and evaluations in EB-2 NIW?

Keeping track of costs related to recommendation letters and credential evaluations is a sound personal finance habit, but one point deserves clarification: in an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) petition, these expenses are not something the USCIS evaluates. What matters for the petition is the content of the letters and evaluations, not the amount you paid to obtain them.

For your own financial and organizational records, it is helpful to keep everything together and traceable:

• Receipts, invoices, contracts, and payment confirmations from service providers.
• Emails and agreements that document the terms arranged and the relevant dates.
• Transaction records or bank statements when the service was contracted through a digital platform.

Sorting documents by category (recommendation letters, diploma evaluations, translations) and in chronological order makes it easier to follow the process. Just do not treat these records as proof of eligibility: they are not part of the evaluation criteria.

If you have questions about what actually goes into the petition, it is worth confirming current requirements with the USCIS or with a trusted immigration professional.

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.