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How to respond to an RFE questioning the relevance of your work to the national interest?

An RFE about the relevance of your work in the EB-2 NIW requests additional evidence: respond with organized, well-explained evidence that demonstrates the impact on the national interest.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 16, 2026
1 min read
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An RFE (Request for Evidence) questioning the relevance of your work to the national interest is a request for additional evidence, not a denial. In the EB-2 NIW, your response must show, in an organized way, that your contributions go beyond the individual and generate broad benefits for the United States.

Start by gathering and organizing the evidence that connects your work to strategic areas such as the economy, education, health, or technology. Each document should come with a brief explanation of what it proves and how it relates to the national interest.

  • Publications, citations, and recognition in your field.
  • Letters from experts explaining the importance of your work.
  • Concrete examples of the application or influence of your initiatives.
  • Collaborations with reference institutions or projects.

Make clear where your work differs from the conventional and why it deserves recognition. Address directly the points raised in the RFE, without straying from what was asked, and review everything to ensure clarity and coherence.

Since each RFE is specific and requirements are assessed case by case, it is advisable to follow USCIS guidance and work with a qualified professional to structure your response within the deadline indicated in the notice.

Learn more about EB-2 NIW

Category
EB-2 NIW Green Card
Self-petition
Allowed (no sponsor needed)
PERM
Waived
Processing
12-36 months
All about EB-2 NIW

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.

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How to respond to an RFE questioning the relevance of your work to the national interest?

An RFE about the relevance of your work in the EB-2 NIW requests additional evidence: respond with organized, well-explained evidence that demonstrates the impact on the national interest.

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