Is it necessary to include comparisons with other projects in the field?

No. Including comparisons with other projects in the field is not a formal requirement of the EB-2 NIW. The petition’s focus is to demonstrate that your own work has merit and national importance, not to win a direct competition against similar initiatives.

That said, a comparison can be useful when it helps contextualize your differentiator: showing how your approach advances beyond the common practice in the area. Used carefully, it reinforces the idea that your work goes beyond the conventional.

If you choose to include one, it is worth following a few principles:

• Favor objective data and analysis over promotional claims.
• Avoid generalizations that could easily be challenged.
• Use the comparison to complement the narrative, not as the central argument.

Since each case is evaluated individually, the best guide is the strength of your own track record. It is worth checking updated requirements with USCIS and structuring your petition with the support of 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.