How to respond to an RFE questioning the relevance of your work to the national interest in EB-2 NIW?

Before drafting your response, it helps to clarify the premise: EB-2 NIW is not an investment pathway, and the USCIS does not assess how much capital you contributed. An RFE about relevance to the national interest is actually asking why your work matters to the United States beyond your individual benefit.

Your response, then, must reconnect each piece of evidence to the merit and reach of your work, not to financial figures. If you submitted project data, explain what it means in terms of real, verifiable impact.

• Clearly explain how your work benefits areas of national interest.
• Reinforce the petition’s claims with expert opinions and project reports.
• Highlight partnerships and recognition that support the relevance of your work.

Keep your response organized and grounded in facts, without making promises you cannot substantiate. Since every case is unique, it is worth consulting the latest USCIS guidelines and reviewing your response with a specialist before submitting it.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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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.