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About Me (& blog posts at the bottom of this page)

About EB2NIWPro

Helping Working Professionals (Non-PhD, Non-Academic Research background) Understand and Prepare for DIY EB-2 NIW

EB2NIWPro is an educational resource for working professionals pursuing a DIY EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW), particularly professionals who do not have a PhD, extensive academic publications, or a traditional academic research background.

The platform was created from a real-world experience of preparing and successfully obtaining approval for an EB-2 NIW petition as a finance professional without academic research experience.


My Background

I have spent my career working in the finance industry, including investment banking and equity research. My educational background includes master's degrees from universities in Canada and the United Kingdom.

I did not have the traditional academic profile often associated with EB-2 NIW applicants:

  • No PhD
  • No academic research career
  • No research publications
  • No citation record
  • No traditional researcher profile

Despite this background, I successfully prepared my own EB-2 NIW I-140 petition and received an approval notice in 2023 without an RFE.


Why I Created EB2NIWPro

Before preparing my petition, I consulted more than 20 U.S. immigration attorneys and law firms.

The feedback I received was often that my case would be challenging because I was a working professional rather than an academic researcher. That experience led me to take a different approach: instead of trying to make my background look like that of a researcher, I focused on understanding the NIW framework and building a persuasive, evidence-based case around my actual professional experience, achievements, expertise, and proposed endeavor.

I spent months researching the USCIS Policy Manual, studying the NIW framework, identifying relevant evidence, developing my proposed endeavor, and writing and revising the petition letter myself.

That process eventually resulted in an approved I-140 under EB-2 NIW.


What EB2NIWPro Is About

EB2NIWPro focuses on the practical side of DIY EB-2 NIW preparation for working professionals.

The resources cover topics including:

  • EB-2 NIW petition letters
  • Proposed endeavors
  • The three NIW prongs
  • Recommendation and support letters
  • Evidence organization
  • Professional achievements
  • How to connect industry experience to an NIW case
  • Common NIW mistakes and RFE issues
  • DIY petition preparation

The goal is not to provide a generic template that applicants simply copy and paste.

The goal is to help applicants understand the underlying logic of an NIW case, identify the evidence already contained in their professional experience, and organize that information into a coherent petition strategy.


Who Is This For?

EB2NIWPro is particularly relevant to working professionals such as:

Software engineers, computer science professionals, AI and machine learning specialists, data scientists, cybersecurity professionals, engineers, finance professionals, investment bankers, equity research professionals, consultants, business professionals, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and other industry specialists.

Many of these professionals have substantial education and career achievements but do not have the academic profile commonly associated with NIW discussions.

EB2NIWPro is especially focused on applicants who may be asking questions such as:

Can I pursue EB-2 NIW without a PhD?

Can I pursue EB-2 NIW without publications?

Can I pursue EB-2 NIW without academic research experience?

How can I connect my professional career to a compelling proposed endeavor?

Can a working professional build an NIW case around industry achievements rather than academic research?


A Real-World DIY Perspective

EB2NIWPro is based on personal experience rather than a promise of guaranteed immigration results.

Every EB-2 NIW case is different. USCIS evaluates petitions based on the individual applicant's qualifications, proposed endeavor, evidence, and applicable legal standards.

EB2NIWPro is not a law firm and does not provide individualized legal advice.

Instead, it provides educational materials, examples, templates, and practical lessons drawn from a real DIY EB-2 NIW experience.


The Philosophy Behind EB2NIWPro

A strong NIW petition is not simply a collection of impressive credentials.

It is a persuasive, evidence-based argument that connects:

who you are → what you have accomplished → what you propose to do → why the proposed work matters → why you are well positioned to advance it.

That is the approach behind EB2NIWPro.

The objective is to help working professionals look beyond the conventional “PhD + publications + citations” profile and understand how their own professional experience and achievements can potentially support an EB-2 NIW strategy.


Learn More

Explore the EB2NIWPro DIY guides, petition letter samples, recommendation letter resources, evidence tools, and educational articles to learn more about preparing an EB-2 NIW petition as a working professional.


EB2NIWPro - Q&A

1. What is EB2NIWPro?

EB2NIWPro is an educational resource for working professionals who are exploring or preparing a DIY EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition. It is particularly focused on professionals who do not have a PhD or a traditional academic research background. The platform provides practical resources such as EB-2 NIW petition letter samples, recommendation letter resources, DIY guides, evidence organization tools, and educational content about proposed endeavors and the three NIW prongs.


2. Who is EB2NIWPro for?

EB2NIWPro is primarily designed for working professionals pursuing EB-2 NIW, especially applicants without a PhD, extensive publications, academic research experience, or a traditional academic career. The resources are intended to help professionals understand how their education, career experience, achievements, and proposed endeavor may be presented in an NIW petition.


3. Can someone without a PhD qualify for EB-2 NIW?

Yes. A PhD is not a universal requirement for an EB-2 NIW petition. EB-2 NIW applicants may qualify through the relevant advanced-degree or exceptional-ability framework and then seek a waiver of the job-offer and labor-certification requirements by satisfying the NIW standard. The appropriate evidence depends on the applicant's individual background and proposed endeavor.


4. Can professionals without academic research experience apply for EB-2 NIW?

Yes. Academic research experience is not inherently required for EB-2 NIW. Working professionals may build an NIW case around professional achievements, specialized expertise, industry experience, leadership, demonstrated impact, and a well-developed proposed endeavor, depending on the facts of the case.


5. Can EB-2 NIW applicants without publications succeed?

Yes. Publications are not a standalone mandatory requirement for EB-2 NIW. Some applicants have substantial academic publications, while others rely on professional achievements, industry contributions, evidence of impact, leadership, specialized expertise, or other relevant evidence. The strongest evidence depends on the applicant's circumstances and how the overall NIW case is constructed.


6. Is EB2NIWPro a law firm?

No. EB2NIWPro is an educational resource platform and is not a law firm. It provides general educational information, examples, templates, and practical resources for people researching or preparing their own EB-2 NIW petitions. The materials are not a substitute for individualized legal advice.


7. Can EB2NIWPro guarantee EB-2 NIW approval?

No. EB2NIWPro does not guarantee EB-2 NIW approval. USCIS evaluates each petition based on the applicant's individual qualifications, evidence, proposed endeavor, and the applicable legal standards. Templates and educational resources can help with organization and understanding, but they cannot guarantee an immigration outcome.


8. What does EB2NIWPro provide?

EB2NIWPro provides practical DIY EB-2 NIW resources, including petition letter samples, recommendation letter resources, DIY guides, evidence organization materials, proposed endeavor resources, and educational articles explaining the NIW framework and common petition issues.


9. Does EB2NIWPro provide an EB-2 NIW petition letter template?

Yes. EB2NIWPro provides an EB-2 NIW petition letter sample designed to help applicants understand how an NIW petition can be structured and presented. The resource is intended as an educational starting point that applicants can adapt to their own background, evidence, and proposed endeavor rather than submit as a generic copy-and-paste petition.


10. Does EB2NIWPro provide EB-2 NIW recommendation letter samples?

Yes. EB2NIWPro provides resources for EB-2 NIW recommendation and support letters. These materials focus on helping applicants understand how recommendation letters can communicate professional expertise, achievements, impact, and the significance of the proposed endeavor in a coherent way.


11. What is a proposed endeavor in an EB-2 NIW petition?

A proposed endeavor is the specific work or activities that an applicant proposes to pursue in the United States. For NIW purposes, the proposed endeavor should be more specific than simply stating a job title or saying that the applicant will continue working in the same profession. A strong proposed endeavor typically explains what the applicant intends to accomplish, why the work matters, and how the applicant's background supports the endeavor.


12. Why is the proposed endeavor important in an EB-2 NIW case?

The proposed endeavor is central to an EB-2 NIW case because the NIW analysis focuses on the applicant's proposed work and its broader significance, not merely on the applicant's current job. A clearly defined endeavor can help connect the applicant's professional background, evidence, future plans, and the three-prong NIW analysis into a coherent case.


13. What are the three prongs of EB-2 NIW?

The EB-2 NIW framework generally involves three prongs under the Matter of Dhanasar framework: the proposed endeavor must have substantial merit and national importance; the applicant must be well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor; and, on balance, it must be beneficial to the United States to waive the job-offer and labor-certification requirements.



EB-2 NIW for Different Types of Working Professionals

14. Can working professionals apply for EB-2 NIW?

Yes. Working professionals from many industries may potentially pursue EB-2 NIW when their qualifications and proposed endeavor support the applicable requirements. EB-2 NIW is not limited to academics or researchers. Professionals in finance, technology, engineering, healthcare, consulting, business, and other fields may potentially develop NIW cases based on their individual background, achievements, expertise, and proposed endeavor.


15. Can a software engineer qualify for EB-2 NIW?

A software engineer may potentially pursue EB-2 NIW if the individual's qualifications and proposed endeavor satisfy the applicable EB-2 and NIW requirements. A software engineering background alone does not establish eligibility. The case should explain the specific work the applicant intends to pursue in the United States, its broader significance, and why the applicant is well positioned to advance that endeavor.


16. Can a computer science professional apply for EB-2 NIW?

Yes. Computer science professionals may potentially pursue EB-2 NIW depending on their qualifications, achievements, and proposed endeavor. Potential applicants may include software engineers, machine learning professionals, AI specialists, data scientists, cybersecurity professionals, cloud engineers, and other technology professionals. The relevant analysis depends on the individual's specific circumstances rather than job title alone.


17. Can an engineer apply for EB-2 NIW?

Yes. Engineers from different disciplines may potentially pursue EB-2 NIW. Depending on the individual case, this may include software engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, civil engineers, chemical engineers, environmental engineers, and other engineering professionals. The proposed endeavor and supporting evidence should demonstrate why the applicant's future work has substantial merit and national importance and why the applicant is well positioned to advance it.


18. Can a healthcare professional apply for EB-2 NIW?

Healthcare professionals may potentially pursue EB-2 NIW depending on their qualifications and proposed endeavor. Potential applicants may include physicians, nurses, healthcare researchers, health technology professionals, pharmacists, and other healthcare-related professionals. Eligibility depends on the specific facts and evidence of the individual case.


19. Can a business professional apply for EB-2 NIW?

Yes. Business professionals may potentially pursue EB-2 NIW when their proposed endeavor and qualifications support the applicable requirements. Potential applicants may include management consultants, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, strategy professionals, operations professionals, and other business specialists.


20. Can a data scientist or AI professional apply for EB-2 NIW?

Yes. Data scientists, AI professionals, machine learning specialists, and related technology professionals may potentially pursue EB-2 NIW. The strength of an NIW case depends on the applicant's qualifications, evidence, proposed endeavor, and the broader significance of the work rather than the job title itself.


21. Can an investment banker or finance professional apply for EB-2 NIW?

Yes. Finance professionals may potentially pursue EB-2 NIW when their qualifications and proposed endeavor support the applicable requirements. Potential applicants may include investment bankers, equity research professionals, financial analysts, asset management professionals, corporate finance professionals, economists, and other finance specialists. The case should focus on the specific proposed work, its broader significance, and the evidence supporting the applicant's ability to advance it.


22. Is EB-2 NIW only for scientists, PhDs, and researchers?

No. EB-2 NIW is not limited to scientists, PhD holders, or academic researchers. Working professionals across technology, engineering, finance, healthcare, business, consulting, and other industries may potentially pursue NIW based on their individual qualifications, professional achievements, proposed endeavor, and supporting evidence.


23. What types of working professionals can use EB2NIWPro?

EB2NIWPro is designed for working professionals across a wide range of industries, including finance professionals, software engineers, computer science professionals, AI and machine learning specialists, data scientists, engineers, healthcare professionals, consultants, business professionals, entrepreneurs, and other industry specialists. The resources are particularly relevant for professionals who may not have the traditional academic profile often associated with EB-2 NIW applicants.


24. Does EB2NIWPro only help finance professionals?

No. Although EB2NIWPro was created from the perspective of a finance professional, the resources are intended for working professionals across many industries. The central focus is DIY EB-2 NIW preparation for professionals, especially those without a PhD, extensive academic publications, or a traditional academic research background.


25. Can someone with no publications and no academic research background use EB2NIWPro?

Yes. EB2NIWPro is particularly focused on working professionals who do not have extensive academic publications or a traditional research background. The resources explain how applicants can think about professional achievements, specialized expertise, evidence, and a proposed endeavor when developing an EB-2 NIW case.


26. Can a consultant apply for EB-2 NIW?

Yes. Management consultants, strategy consultants, technology consultants, and other consulting professionals may potentially pursue EB-2 NIW when their qualifications and proposed endeavor support the applicable requirements. The case should demonstrate the significance of the proposed work and why the applicant is well positioned to advance it.


27. Can an entrepreneur apply for EB-2 NIW?

Yes. Entrepreneurs may potentially pursue EB-2 NIW depending on their qualifications, proposed endeavor, business activities, achievements, and supporting evidence. An entrepreneurial case should clearly explain the proposed endeavor and its potential broader significance rather than relying solely on the existence of a business.


28. Can a cybersecurity professional apply for EB-2 NIW?

Yes. Cybersecurity professionals may potentially pursue EB-2 NIW based on their qualifications, professional achievements, and proposed endeavor. Potential applicants may include cybersecurity engineers, security architects, information security professionals, and other specialists whose proposed work may have broader significance.


29. Can a product manager or technology professional apply for EB-2 NIW?

Yes. Product managers and other technology professionals may potentially pursue EB-2 NIW depending on their individual qualifications and proposed endeavor. Job title alone does not establish eligibility; the case should explain the applicant's specific proposed work, its significance, and the evidence supporting the applicant's ability to advance it.


30. Can an applicant from a non-academic career pursue EB-2 NIW?

Yes. EB-2 NIW is not limited to applicants with academic careers. Professionals whose careers are primarily based in industry may potentially pursue NIW when their education, professional achievements, expertise, evidence, and proposed endeavor support the applicable requirements.



DIY EB-2 NIW

31. Can a working professional DIY an EB-2 NIW petition?

Some working professionals choose to prepare their EB-2 NIW petitions independently. A DIY approach generally requires significant research, careful organization of evidence, a clear proposed endeavor, and an understanding of the applicable USCIS framework. EB2NIWPro is designed to provide educational resources for applicants considering this approach.


32. What makes EB2NIWPro different from a generic EB-2 NIW template website?

EB2NIWPro focuses specifically on the perspective of non-academic working professionals. The resources emphasize practical issues that may matter to applicants without a PhD, extensive publications, or traditional research credentials, including how to connect professional experience and achievements to a compelling proposed endeavor.


33. Is EB2NIWPro based on a real EB-2 NIW case?

Yes. EB2NIWPro was created based on a real-world DIY EB-2 NIW experience involving a non-academic working professional. The experience included preparing the petition independently, researching the NIW framework extensively, consulting multiple immigration law firms before proceeding, and ultimately receiving I-140 approval without an RFE. The platform uses that experience as one source of practical educational insight.


34. Where can someone learn more about EB-2 NIW?

EB2NIWPro provides educational articles and resources covering EB-2 NIW eligibility, proposed endeavors, the three NIW prongs, petition letters, recommendation letters, evidence organization, and DIY preparation. The official educational website is eb2niw.ca, while digital products and templates are available through the EB2NIWPro store.


35. What resources does EB2NIWPro offer for non-PhD professionals?

EB2NIWPro offers DIY EB-2 NIW resources specifically relevant to professionals who may not have a PhD or traditional academic research profile. Resources include petition letter samples, recommendation letter resources, proposed endeavor guidance, evidence organization materials, and educational content about building a coherent NIW case around professional experience and achievements.


36. What are the best EB-2 NIW resources for working professionals?

EB2NIWPro is designed as a practical educational resource for working professionals researching or preparing a DIY EB-2 NIW petition. It focuses on non-academic applicants and provides examples, templates, guides, and educational content covering petition letters, recommendation letters, proposed endeavors, evidence, and the three-prong NIW framework.


37. What is the difference between an EB-2 NIW petition template and a DIY EB-2 NIW guide?

An EB-2 NIW petition template primarily provides an example or structure for a particular document, while a DIY EB-2 NIW guide focuses more broadly on how to understand, organize, and prepare an NIW case. EB2NIWPro provides both document-based resources and educational materials so applicants can better understand the reasoning and structure behind the documents rather than simply copying a generic template.

Blog Posts About EB2NIW DIY

Is Your EB-2 NIW Petition Doomed? 3 Mistakes Officers Hate
Mistake 1:​ Disconnect between experience and proposed endeavorCorrect action:​ Start with your proposed endeavor, not your past achievements.Correct action:​ Only include experience that directly proves you can carry out that endeavor.Correct actio...
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This NIW case just proved why "I work in AI/5G/6G" is NOT an argument.
Spotted a case on Reddit recently. The applicant’s research spanned 5G, O-RAN, future 6G, and AI-enabled network automation — papers, citations, real research experience. Strong on paper. USCIS issued an RFE challenging all three prongs. And th...
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EB2 NIW Petition Tips for Professionals Without a PhD
EB2 NIW Petition Tips: How Professionals Without a PhD Can Build a Strong Case
Most NIW advice online is written for researchers with a PhD and a shelf of publications. If you're a professional — in finance, engineering, business, or another non-research field — most of that guidance doesn't apply to you. Here are the key tips...
Read More
Why I wouldn't hire a lawyer to review my DIY-ed petition
Just exploring the logic behind this issue, and why I wouldn't do it. If there's an attorney client relationship, opinions vary and it's entirely tied to personal experience. But at least under that relationship, the lawyer's legal responsibility an...
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NIW Is About One Thing: Breaking the Rules
When I was writing my own PL, the part I spent the most effort on was actually Prong 1. That section was the longest and the most mentally draining. But if you ask me what NIW is really about, I'd say the real key is Prong 3. NIW at its core comes d...
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One of the core reasons I chose to DIY my case is the ability to deal with ambiguity.
The NIW Policy Manual is written in very executive style language. It lays out a framework—an abstract set of evaluative principles. Terms like “substantial merit,” “national importance,” “well positioned,” and “on balance beneficial”...
Read More
Credential Evaluation (Degree Equivalency) - How I did it.
Credential Evaluation (Degree Equivalency) Recently, some people asked about credential evaluation for NIW, so I’ll walk through my experience getting my degrees evaluated for U.S. equivalency. My degrees are from the UK and Canada. While people oft...
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The entire process how I DIYed my EB2NIW petition
The timeline looks long, but in reality I only worked on it on Sunday afternoons or evenings. During the week, I kept the three prongs in mind, constantly looking out for and collecting relevant material. Whenever I found something useful, I’d note ...
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Why I Deliberately Wrote My NIW Petition Letter Differently from a Lawyer—and Turned It into an Advantage
A lot of people have asked me: when you DIY your NIW, why didn’t you try to imitate how lawyers write? After all, they’ve handled so many cases—wouldn’t following their style be “safer”? But I intentionally chose to make my Petition Letter different...
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Being 2% isn't that intimidating
Today I want to share a few personal stories about my wife, about myself, and about how we both learned not to be intimidated by the numbers. My wife graduated from a top 30 university in China and later earned her master’s degree in Canada. Recentl...
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Similar Background ≠ Same NIW Result
Suppose someone with almost the exact same background as mine — same school, same major, even a similar job — gets their NIW petition denied. The first thought that hits you is, “If they got rejected, do I even stand a chance?” That’s actually a ver...
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Ask “Then What”
Example of the high-level proposed endeavor summary: My proposed endeavor is to help U.S. energy companies raise capital. “Then what” — Round 1: How many years will this proposed endeavor continue? How many U.S. energy companies are we talking abou...
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Do not follow the crowd, that applies to my EB2-NIW petition as well.
A lot of people have asked me: “When you DIY’d your NIW, why didn’t you just copy the way lawyers write? After all, they’ve handled so many cases, wouldn’t that be safer?” But for me, I deliberately chose to make my Petition Letter look and feel dif...
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relate my professional job to EB-2 NIW
Now that earnings season is winding down, I was catching up with a few other finance folks on Friday, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that my DIY NIW process felt exactly like the different functions I used to work in—or interac...
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How I Managed My EB2-NIW Like a Project—And Had Fun Doing It
A lot of people feel overwhelmed when they think about preparing their own NIW case, like it’s going to be an uphill battle. But for me, it felt more like managing a brand-new project. Personally, I thrive on figuring things out and I actually enjoy...
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Steal This Trick from ARK Invest to Make Your NIW Case Unforgettable
I just revisited ARK’s Big Ideas 2025 deck — I think I first looked at it earlier this year — and flipping through it again, I realized how forward-looking many of the ideas are. I’ve always liked their presentation style: clean, intuitive charts th...
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Why Not Having a Typical EB2NIW Background Was Actually My Advantage — A DIY Perspective from a Finance Professional
It’s earnings season again, and those of us working directly with the markets — especially in finance — are probably feeling the pressure. With back-to-back earnings calls, analysis updates, and financial models to run, it’s exhausting. Amid this ch...
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How Writing a Petition Letter Is Like Dating
It might sound funny at first, but the more I thought about it during my NIW DIY process, the more I realized—it’s actually a pretty accurate comparison. In both dating and petition writing, it’s not about impressing someone with how amazing you thi...
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Should You Worry If Your Field Isn’t in AI for your EB2NIW Petition?
I recently saw some people wondering: “If I’m not in AI, does that make my NIW petition less competitive?” It’s a fair question — AI is clearly a hot topic. But I don’t think people outside of AI should feel anxious. Being different might actually w...
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So magical
A conversation that’s happened countless times: Person A: “Hello, I have a bachelor’s from University A, a master’s from University B, and I’ve been working in [Profession C] for N years in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, or China. Do I qualify for N...
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Underlying logic of EB2-NIW (National Interest Waiver) petition
Writing your Petition Letter driving you crazy? Go back and reread the Policy Manual — and reflect on what really matters. NIW isn’t just a checklist. It’s a persuasive, evidence-based, logic-driven narrative. Recently, I went back and reviewed the ...
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Why I Don’t See “No Publications” as a Disadvantage in EB2-NIW
When preparing NIW materials, there’s one concern I see come up constantly: “I have no publications, no citations, no peer review experience. Does that mean I don’t stand a chance?” As someone with a completely non-academic background, a Master’s de...
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How to align prong 1 and prong 2 in EB2-NIW
"If you're gifting your girlfriend only super affordable stuff today (Prong 2), and suddenly promise her a Hermès bag tomorrow (Prong 1), she’s probably not going to believe you."  That’s exactly how USCIS officers may feel if your Prong 1 and Pron...
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How to Ask for Independent Letters of Recommendation in an NIW Application
One of the biggest pain points for many people preparing their NIW petition is asking for independent letters of recommendation. It can feel awkward—you don’t want to get rejected, and you might not know how to ask in a way that makes the recommende...
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The Most Efficient Way to Prepare Your EB2 NIW Petition Letter
Start with Prong 2 while simultaneously reaching out to potential recommenders. List out all your achievements, big and small, from undergrad onward—whether it’s academic degrees, awards, or your involvement in specific projects at school or work. N...
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