What is the role of an Academic Evaluation in responding to an RFE?

In the EB-2 NIW, an Academic Evaluation typically enters the response to an RFE as a supporting document: it analyzes your degrees and qualifications obtained outside the United States and explains what level they correspond to within the American educational system.

When the USCIS requests additional evidence about your academic background, this evaluation helps clarify the validity and equivalency of your international credentials, making it more transparent how your academic trajectory fits the profile presented in your petition.

It is worth understanding its scope honestly: the Academic Evaluation is one of several elements of a solid response, not a standalone formal requirement or a guarantee of approval. It strengthens the overall package, but does not replace the other evidence of merit and relevance of your work.

For this reason, the ideal is that the evaluation be thorough, prepared by a reputable professional or institution, and integrated into a consistent body of documentation. Since each case is reviewed individually, it is worth checking the updated guidance on the USCIS website and reviewing your strategy with a specialist.

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.