This checklist supports our EB-2 NIW guide. It lists every document group USCIS expects, organized the way strong petitions are built: by the legal test.
Key takeaways
- Organize evidence around the EB-2 basis and the three Dhanasar prongs.
- Experience letters need dates, title, duties and hours.
- Plan 4 to 7 recommendation letters that describe specific contributions.
- Every non-English document needs a certified translation.
How should NIW evidence be organized?
Organize your petition in the order USCIS decides it: forms, identity, EB-2 basis, then evidence for Prong 1, Prong 2 and Prong 3, followed by letters and translations.
Forms & fees
I-140, I-907, G-1145
EB-2 basis
Degrees and experience
Three prongs
Evidence mapped to each
Letters
Experts and stakeholders
What forms and fees are needed?
Form I-140 with the correct fees, plus Form I-907 if you want premium processing and Form G-1145 to receive e-notifications.
- Form I-140, signed
- Form I-907 (optional premium processing)
- Form G-1145 (e-notification)
- Correct filing fee and Asylum Program Fee
- Cover letter and exhibit index
- Two passport-style photos, if requested
Which identity and EB-2 documents do I need?
Your passport, any U.S. status documents, your degrees and transcripts with a credential evaluation, and detailed experience letters.
| Document | What to check |
|---|---|
| Passport biographic page | Valid, legible, matches all other documents |
| U.S. status documents (if in the U.S.) | I-94, visa, I-797 approvals, EAD if any |
| Degree certificates and transcripts | Complete, with attestation where applicable (e.g. HEC in Pakistan) |
| Credential evaluation | Matches the EB-2 route you claim |
| Experience letters | Letterhead, signature, title, dates, duties, full-time or part-time |
What evidence proves each Dhanasar prong?
Prong 1 evidence shows why your endeavor matters nationally, Prong 2 shows you can deliver it, and Prong 3 explains why waiving the job offer benefits the U.S.
Prong 1: national importance
Endeavor statement, U.S. government or industry reports, economic or policy data, articles on the problem you solve.
Prong 2: well positioned
CV, publications, citations, patents, project results, awards, media, contracts, business plan, letters of interest.
Prong 3: balance of factors
A clear explanation of urgency, impracticality of PERM, self-employment, or value regardless of employer.
Upload your CV and we'll tell you which documents matter most for your profile, and what's missing.
What makes a strong recommendation letter?
A strong letter comes from a credible expert, explains how they know your work, and describes specific contributions and their impact, not general praise.
"Dr. Khan is hardworking, brilliant and an asset to any organization."
Generic praise. Proves nothing about the prongs."Dr. Khan's fault-prediction model cut outage response times by 30% across our three U.S. utilities, and we are now adopting it network-wide."
Specific, measurable, and tied to U.S. impact.- Mix independent and direct recommenders
- Each letter shows the writer's credentials
- Specific projects, results and numbers
- Ties your work to U.S. benefit
- Signed, dated and on letterhead where possible
- No copy-paste wording across letters
What about translations and civil documents?
Translate every non-English document fully, with a translator's certificate. Start gathering civil documents early, because you will need them at the final stage.
- Full English translation of each document
- Translator's certification of competence and accuracy
- Birth certificate for you and each family member
- Marriage certificate, if applicable
- Police certificates for the final stage
- Passports for all family members
[Include partner-attorney sentence here if applicable.]
Official sources
- USCIS: Form I-140
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 6, Part F, Chapter 5
- USCIS: Employment-Based Immigration, Second Preference (EB-2)
Phoenix Immigration Consulting Services LLC is an immigration consulting firm, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Information on this page is general and may change; always confirm current rules on uscis.gov and travel.state.gov. Filing a petition or application does not guarantee approval.
