I was named in a city ordinance. Isn’t that local, not national?

Being named in a city ordinance is, in fact, a locally scoped recognition. Under EB-2 NIW, that does not disqualify it, but on its own it tends to carry limited weight, because the analysis centers on the significance of your work at a broader scale: one of national interest.

The focus of the EB-2 NIW is to show that your work benefits the United States in a way that goes beyond a purely local sphere. A municipal honor is commendable and can be included in your petition package, but it generally works best as one of several supporting indicators.

To strengthen the case, the ideal approach is to combine that recognition with evidence of broader reach:

• Acknowledgments or impacts that extend beyond your city or region.
• Adoption of your work by other actors, sectors, or localities.
• Independent references attesting to the wider relevance of your contributions.

Because each petition is evaluated individually, a local achievement that is well contextualized can contribute to the overall picture. If you are unsure how to position it, review the current guidance from USCIS or consult 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.