I funded third-party projects. Does that demonstrate national interest?

Funding third-party projects can help demonstrate national interest in an EB-2 NIW petition, but it is not, on its own, a formal requirement or automatic proof. What matters is the impact of those projects and how closely they connect to priorities relevant to the United States.

The EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) allows qualified professionals to seek a waiver of the job offer requirement by showing that their work serves the national interest. In this framework, funding functions as supporting evidence, evaluated as part of the overall picture, not as a standalone criterion that guarantees approval.

For this track record to strengthen the petition, it is important to document:

• How the funded projects align with strategic or innovative areas.
• What concrete results emerged from that support.
• What your role was, especially if it went beyond simply providing capital.

If your involvement was solely as an investor, it is worth reinforcing the petition with elements that demonstrate your influence and leadership in the field. Since each case is evaluated individually, it is prudent to verify updated criteria at the official source (USCIS) and plan your strategy with a specialist.

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.