Assembling a DIY

petition for I-140

EB2 NIW GREEN CARD CATEGORY

www.eb2niw.info

© 2022 Oscar Pardo Version 1 – Last update July 2022

 Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................4

About this document & Disclaimers ...................................................................................................................................... 4

My story – A journey through visas and green cards............................................................................................... 4

The steps and timeline for the I-140 DIY application ................................................................................................. 6

Preparation time for EB-2 NIW submission .................................................................................................................. 7

1. Understand the EB2 National Interest Waiver process............................................................................ 7

2. Complete your profile and make your case stronger ............................................................................. 7

3. Strategize on what your case will look like ....................................................................................................... 7

4. Contact potential recommenders ......................................................................................................................... 8

5. Draft recommendation letters for your case and get them signed ............................................. 8

6. Draft petition cover letter and gather all the necessary evidence to attach to your
petition ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

7. Review your final petition draft, make corrections, and prepare for mail ............................... 8

Conclusions to Preparation time ......................................................................................................................................... 8

Chapter 2. The EB-2 NIW requirements and USCIS information ................................................... 10

Is NIW the same as EB-2? ............................................................................................................................................................. 10

Requirements for EB-2 NIW ......................................................................................................................................................... 10

1. The applicant should hold an Advanced Degree OR demonstrate Exceptional Ability. ....... 11

2. The applicant's work has substantial merit and national importance............................................. 11

3. The applicant is well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor ............................................12

4. On balance, it would be beneficial to the United States to waive the requirements of a

job offer, and thus the labor certification ....................................................................................................................12

The Matter of Dhanasar ..................................................................................................................................................................12

1. The endeavor has substantial merit and national importance .............................................................13

What does endeavor mean to USCIS? ...........................................................................................................................13

2. The petitioner is well positioned to advance the endeavor. ................................................................... 15

3. On balance, it would be beneficial to the US to waive the labor certification for the EB-2
category ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 16

Takeaways ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 17
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Websites to consult............................................................................................................................................................................ 17

www.eb2niw.info Assembling a DIY petition for I-140 EB2 NIW

 USCIS website for Forms ............................................................................................................................................................ 17

USCIS Policy Manual .....................................................................................................................................................................21

Chapter 3. EB2 NIW cover letter: what it is and how to prepare one ............................................ 23

How to write an effective EB2 NIW cover letter ............................................................................................................ 23

Plan before you write ................................................................................................................................................................. 23

What language to use in an EB2 NIW cover letter ............................................................................................... 24

Quotes and Exhibit references............................................................................................................................................ 24

Structure of EB2 NIW cover letter....................................................................................................................................... 24

After the writing process: proofread .............................................................................................................................. 33

How long should the EB2 NIW cover letter be? ............................................................................................................ 33

The EB-2 NIW cover letter: closing comments ............................................................................................................ 34

Chapter 4. Recommendation Letters ................................................................................................ 35

How many letters of recommendation for EB-2 NIW? ........................................................................................... 35

Types of recommenders: objective versus subjective ......................................................................................... 35

How to find and approach potential recommenders for EB2 NIW............................................................... 36

How to select subjective recommenders for EB-2 National Interest Waiver .................................. 36

How to find independent recommenders ................................................................................................................. 37

How to approach independent recommenders? ............................................................................................... 38

Can the recommenders be from abroad? ............................................................................................................... 40

How to write strong EB2 NIW recommendation letters ......................................................................................... 40

Structure of EB2 NIW Recommendation Letters .................................................................................................... 40

Request CV of recommenders ........................................................................................................................................... 42

How long should a good EB2 NIW recommendation letter be? ..................................................................... 42

Takeaways .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 43

Chapter 5. How to assemble the I-140 petition ............................................................................... 44

Document list........................................................................................................................................................................................ 44

Forms and Fee ................................................................................................................................................................................ 45

Translations and Credential Evaluations ................................................................................................................... 45

Cover Letter ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 45

Exhibits .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 45
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www.eb2niw.info Assembling a DIY petition for I-140 EB2 NIW

 Use of cover pages to organize the document.......................................................................................................... 46

Assemble the physical copy of the I-140 petition..................................................................................................... 49

Scan the final hard copy for your records................................................................................................................. 49

Use a 2-prong fastener to secure the petition ...................................................................................................... 49

Use sticky notes to mark the beginning of each section ............................................................................... 50

Protect the petition from damage during shipping........................................................................................... 50

Mailing and proof of delivery ................................................................................................................................................ 51

Next steps ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 51

Closing thoughts ................................................................................................................................................................................ 52

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www.eb2niw.info Assembling a DIY petition for I-140 EB2 NIW

 Chapter 1. Introduction
About this document & Disclaimers

I created this document as a supplement to my downloadable I-140 petition available at

www.eb2niw.info. This e-book can guide you in the preparation of your I-140 petition. You can
refer to my own petition for examples and ideas on how to argue your case.

However, this e-book and my own petition are for educational and motivational purposes
only. I do not intend to provide any legal or immigration advice. Remember that I am not a
lawyer, but a scientist. I went through this process myself and I think you can find some value
here, but please use all the materials at your own risk.

By using this document, you discharge me of any liability of responsibility. You also agree not
to resell the materials downloaded or share them in any way unless it is with immediate
family members part of the same immigration process.

My story – A journey through visas and green cards

My name is Oscar, and I am a scientist. I grew up in a small town in Galicia, in the South of
Europe. During my Chemical Engineering studies, I had the opportunity to study abroad and
fell in love with the idea of living in a different country and traveling. I lived in Denmark for one
year, and then I finished my master’s in Utah. This was my first experience in the US. Honestly, I
had a lot of fun that year. Besides getting my first scientific experience at the University of
Utah, I traveled around and made good friends. This was also my first approximation to the
US immigration system since I used a J-1 visa to attend that year of school.

Upon graduation, the economic situation in the South of Europe was, to put it mildly, less than
perfect, and unemployment for my age group was about 50%. I started looking for jobs
farther and farther from home until I came across a research opportunity in Oklahoma.
Although this was an academic research position, I was hired as a full-time staff member of
the department. That meant that I needed an H-1B visa to re-enter the country. Three years
later, and due to different reasons, I decided to quit my job as a staff member. I was offered a
part-time position in the same department so I could finish a Ph.D. I had started during my
tenure as an employee. So, I dropped from the H-1B visa and I was granted an F-1 visa.
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www.eb2niw.info Assembling a DIY petition for I-140 EB2 NIW