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

In EB-2 NIW, it helps to start with a point that often causes confusion: cost is not a criterion of the visa. Unlike investment-based pathways, EB-2 NIW evaluates the merit and national importance of your work, not how much was spent on a project or research. For this reason, an RFE that touches on costs rarely asks you to prove amounts in themselves.

The real challenge is translating financial information into qualitative evidence. When a budget, contract, or expense appears in the file, it only helps if it is connected to the impact and relevance of your work, and never presented as a standalone requirement.

• Show how the resources described support the importance and reach of the project.
• Organize documentation in a clear and traceable way so the reviewer can follow the reasoning.
• Avoid stating values, fees, or numerical parameters as if they were requirements of the visa.

A strong response is honest, well-structured, and focused on national interest. Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth verifying the current requirements with USCIS or a specialist before filing your response.

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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.