What are the main reasons for an RFE on Academic Evaluation in EB-2 NIW?

In EB-2 NIW, an RFE (Request for Evidence) related to Academic Evaluation typically arises from questions about the educational documentation submitted. The academic evaluation is meant to show that your foreign degree is comparable to the American standard required for the category, and that is precisely where weak points tend to emerge.

Among the most common reasons are:

• Equivalency in doubt: when the documentation does not make clear how the foreign degree compares to its American counterpart, or when the evaluation was not performed by a recognized agency.
• Incomplete or inconsistent documentation: transcripts, diplomas, course descriptions, or official translations that are missing, conflicting, or of uncertain authenticity.
• Questioned methodology or source: when the method or evaluator used in the analysis is not widely accepted by the authorities, a new credentialed evaluation may be requested.

The best prevention is assembling a complete file with official translations and an impartial, well-substantiated evaluation. Since each case is reviewed individually, confirm the current guidance from the official source and, when possible, rely on an experienced professional before responding.

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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.