Focus: National Interest Waiver

How to Show Your Work Has Substantial National Impact

One of the key requirements in an EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition is proving that your proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance. But what does “national impact” actually mean—and how can you demonstrate it to USCIS?

In practical terms, national impact means your work extends beyond local or regional benefit. It should have the potential to affect the United States more broadly, whether through public policy, scientific advancement, economic development, or public health.

Real-World Examples:

• A public health researcher whose findings influence CDC guidelines or national vaccination policies.

• An engineer developing infrastructure models that can be adopted across multiple states.

• A data scientist whose algorithms improve nationwide logistics, supply chain efficiency, or cybersecurity.

The impact doesn’t have to be immediate or fully realized; it can be potential, as long as it’s credible and well-supported.

What Evidence Helps?

• Citations in national journals or by U.S. government agencies

• Widespread use or adoption of your work across industries

• Contracts, funding, or partnerships with national-level organizations

• Media coverage or awards with national recognition

Proving national impact helps establish that your continued work in the U.S. is not only valuable, but worthy of waiving the job offer and labor certification typically required in the EB-2 category.