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What are the main mistakes that can lead to an RFE in EB-2 NIW Academic Evaluation cases?

In the EB-2 NIW, incomplete documents, superficial evaluations, and little-known sources are the most common mistakes that lead to an RFE in the Academic Evaluation. Learn how to avoid them.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 16, 2026
1 min read
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In the Academic Evaluation for the EB-2 NIW, an academic credential assessment helps establish your qualifications, but small missteps in how it is presented can trigger an RFE (Request for Evidence), prompting requests for clarification or additional documents. Knowing the most common mistakes helps you avoid them.

Among the most frequent pitfalls are:

  • Incomplete or inconsistent documents, such as diplomas without a certified translation.
  • Superficial evaluations that lack a detailed analysis of coursework, credit hours, and equivalency.
  • Use of evaluations from sources that are little-known or lack credibility with adjudicating officers.
  • Information that does not align with the rest of the petition, such as support letters or professional history.

Reviewing the completeness, consistency, and coherence of the entire package significantly reduces the risk of an RFE. Because requirements can change, it is worth checking the latest guidance from USCIS and working with qualified legal support.

Learn more about EB-2 NIW

Category
EB-2 NIW Green Card
Self-petition
Allowed (no sponsor needed)
PERM
Waived
Processing
12-36 months
All about EB-2 NIW

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.

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What are the main mistakes that can lead to an RFE in EB-2 NIW Academic Evaluation cases?

In the EB-2 NIW, incomplete documents, superficial evaluations, and little-known sources are the most common mistakes that lead to an RFE in the Academic Evaluation. Learn how to avoid them.

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