What are the initial steps after submitting an EB-2 NIW case?

After filing your EB-2 NIW petition, the first steps are more about monitoring than taking action: the case enters the USCIS review queue and you begin tracking its progress through official channels.

In practice, the process typically follows this sequence:

• Receipt notice: USCIS confirms that the petition was received and provides a number you can use to track your case.
• Online tracking: with that number, you can check your case status on the official website and, if you wish, create an account to receive updates.
• Possible request for evidence: in some cases, USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE) asking for additional documentation, which must be answered within the indicated deadline or risk harming the process.

While you wait, it is worth keeping copies of everything you submitted and any correspondence received, as well as reviewing your file so you can respond quickly to any requests. Since timelines and steps can change, confirm each step on the USCIS website or with a trusted immigration professional.

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.