I am self-employed and have no team. Does that hurt my case?

Being self-employed and working without a team does not, in itself, hurt an EB-2 NIW petition. The category was designed for qualified professionals who self-petition, and the evaluation focuses on the merit and relevance of your work, not on the size of the structure behind it.

In practice, the EB-2 NIW allows self-petition precisely so that the professional can demonstrate that their work serves the national interest. There is no requirement to have employees, partners, or a formal organization: the focus is on what you produce and the reach of that output.

To support your case, it helps to gather qualitative evidence of your individual impact, such as:

• Publications, patents, awards, and citations of your work.
• Recommendation letters from experts in your field.
• Projects, partnerships, or adoption of your work by third parties.
• Signs of leadership and influence in your sector.

Each profile is evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the competent authority. It is worth checking the updated requirements with USCIS and reviewing your documentation with a specialist before filing.

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.