I have never worked in the U.S. Does that hurt my case?

No, never having worked in the United States does not hurt an EB-2 NIW petition. Unlike visas that require a job offer or prior in-country experience, this category focuses on the merit and relevance of your work, wherever it was performed.

The category’s emphasis is on your expertise and contributions, not on the location where you gained them. Elements that typically carry weight include:

• Recognized academic and professional achievements.
• Publications, awards, and meaningful output in your field.
• Evidence of impact that benefits the national interest of the U.S.

In other words, what matters is demonstrating that your work brings significant benefit to the United States, regardless of where that experience was acquired. Not having worked in the country is not, in itself, a negative factor.

Because each case is evaluated individually, it is worth reviewing the official guidelines from USCIS and structuring your petition with a qualified 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.