What strategies help avoid an RFE related to costs in EB-2 NIW?

In the EB-2 NIW, the cost of the process is not an eligibility criterion: what the authority evaluates is the merit and national importance of your work, not how much you spent. Even so, an RFE (Request for Evidence) can arise when payments, fees, or financial records appear incomplete, inconsistent, or lacking documentary support.

The best strategy is preventive: build a clear, consistent, and verifiable financial file in which each supporting document can be confirmed by an official record. Avoid including information you cannot back up with concrete documentation, as the lack of supporting evidence is one of the most common triggers for requests for additional evidence.

• Organize payment records and receipts in chronological order so they can be easily traced.
• Accompany each document with a brief explanation that contextualizes its role in the petition.
• Review in advance for any gaps, date discrepancies, or figures that do not reconcile.

A transparent presentation demonstrates attention to detail and reduces the likelihood of questions from the reviewing officer. Since official amounts and fees change over time, always confirm current figures directly from the official source and consider working with an experienced professional 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.