How to respond to an RFE that mentions indirect costs in an EB-2 NIW?

When you receive a RFE (Request for Evidence) in an EB-2 NIW case, the most important step is to address each point raised by the USCIS directly and in an organized way, without straying from what was actually requested. Calculations and costs, when they appear, serve as context: they are not, by themselves, the criterion that decides the case.

The EB-2 NIW is evaluated based on the merit and national importance of the work, the applicant’s ability to advance it, and the benefit of waiving the job offer and labor certification requirements. For this reason, the response must connect each piece of evidence to these pillars, showing why your work is relevant to the national interest.

A few guidelines help build a strong response:

• Address each specific issue raised in the RFE without leaving any gaps.
• Present supporting documentation that is clear, well organized, and accompanied by a coherent narrative.
• Explain transparently any methodology or data you choose to include.
• Link the evidence to the relevance and reach of your work, not to isolated formulas.

Since each RFE is unique and USCIS standards evolve over time, it is worth checking the latest guidance from the official source and considering support from a qualified professional before filing your response.

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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.