What are the main mistakes that can lead to an RFE about Academic Evaluation?

In the EB-2 NIW, the Academic Evaluation translates your foreign credentials into U.S. standards, and shortcomings at this stage are among the most common triggers for an RFE (Request for Evidence). Most problems stem from how documentation is presented, not from your academic background itself.

The mistakes that carry the most weight tend to be:

• Submitting incomplete academic documentation or documents without the required translations.
• Using an evaluation from an institution without recognized experience or credibility.
• Comparing qualifications inconsistently, raising doubts about the equivalency of your degrees.
• Presenting everything in a disorganized manner, making it harder for the reviewer to follow.

To reduce the risk, make sure the evaluation is conducted by a professional with experience in the U.S. educational system and that the dossier presents your academic history in a clear and coherent way. Details such as course load, course content, and the reputation of your institutions tend to receive close scrutiny.

Each case is unique and assessed individually. It is worth consulting the updated USCIS guidelines and working with a specialist to review your documentation before filing.

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.