What are the critical elements when responding to an RFE about cost evidence in the EB-2 NIW?

Before getting into the details, one clarification: in the EB-2 NIW, the cost of a project is not the central criterion. What the petition must demonstrate is the merit and national importance of your work. That said, if an RFE (Request for Evidence) asks for evidence about costs or resources related to your proposal, an effective response relies on clarity, documentation, and consistency.

The elements that most strengthen this type of response are:

• Organized documentation: invoices, receipts, and contracts showing that the reported expenses were actually incurred.
• Purpose of each cost: a clear explanation of how each expense connects to the project and to the national interest.
• Consistency: figures that are coherent with each other and with what the project itself states, with no gaps.

Build a package where every figure has a supporting document and a narrative that ties it to the goal of your work. Avoid treating costs as the heart of the petition: they are secondary to the argument of national importance, which remains the core of the EB-2 NIW.

Since each case is evaluated individually, confirm current guidelines with the official source (USCIS) and, if possible, review your response with a trusted professional.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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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.