My specialty is U.S. tax law. I am a foreign national, but I studied it. Can this work?

It can work. The EB-2 NIW does not require a specific nationality or a job offer: what matters is demonstrating that your work has merit and serves the national interest of the United States. Having studied U.S. tax law in depth can, indeed, contribute to that profile.

The key point is not just academic knowledge, but rather the practical application and relevance of your expertise. It helps to demonstrate this with evidence such as:

• Research, articles, or publications in the field.
• Participation in concrete projects that draw on this knowledge.
• Recognized contributions to tax practice or policy debate.

What the authority evaluates is how this work generates significant benefit for the United States, cohesively across the entire petition package. A strong academic background is a good start, but it must translate into real impact.

Since each case is reviewed individually by USCIS, it is worth consulting the official guidance and assessing your profile with a specialist before filing, and being cautious of any guarantees of approval.

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.