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

It helps to start by clearing up a common misconception: the EB-2 NIW is not an investment-based pathway and does not evaluate how much you spent. What is examined is the merit and national importance of your work. When an RFE (Request for Evidence) touches on costs, it typically refers to fees, payments, and supporting documentation for the process, not a financial eligibility requirement.

The main challenge, then, is to respond without reinforcing that mistaken premise: document the amounts clearly and verifiably, while keeping the focus of your argument on the impact of your work. A few points that require care:

• Present organized and consistent supporting documents that can be confirmed by official records.
• Clearly distinguish each type of expense, avoiding gaps or amounts that cannot be reconciled.
• Do not let the discussion of costs overshadow the central evidence: the value and reach of your contribution.

Transparency and accuracy prevent setbacks. Since official fees and amounts change over time, confirm current figures through the official source and, if needed, rely on an experienced professional rather than trusting promises of guaranteed outcomes.

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.