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NIW (National Interest Waiver) Document List

  1. 2 copies of the completed, signed ETA 9089 form.

  2. A completed I-140 form https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-140.pdf

  3. A copy of your passport with all stamped pages; omit blank pages

  4. Evidence of your current non-immigrant status (H1-B, F-1, J-1, etc.)

  5. A copy of the front and back of your latest I-94 card. CBP now keeps these records electronically.

  6. Foreign name and address page: If your native alphabet does not use Roman characters, put a page at the front of the package showing your name and foreign address in that alphabet. If you were born in India, no such page is needed, because English is an official language there.

  7. Provide a complete, legible copy of your petition letter.

  8. Recommendation letters:

    Put each recommender's CV behind the signed letter. If no CV is available, a page from his or her online biography will do.

  9. A copy of your highest degree diploma, with academic records/transcripts. If that degree is from a foreign university, add a degree equivalency evaluation. Exception: for an M.B.B.S. from an institution in India, no evaluation is needed, because USCIS treats the M.B.B.S. as equivalent to an M.D.

  10. A copy of your full CV.

  11. Evidence that you will remain in the same field.

  12. A copy of each publication, with your name highlighted in the author list.

  13. Copies of your conference presentations with your name highlighted. For conference schedules, include only the first page and any later page bearing your name, and highlight your name there.

  14. Information on the journals that published your work, including impact factors and rankings.

  15. Your citation record: submit only official citation records. To prove international citations, include both evidence of the citing institution (usually the article's first page) and evidence that the article cited your work (printable from Google Scholar). Highlight your name and total citations. If you submit the citation averages table, highlight the relevant field too.

  16. Evidence of Peer review

  17. Additional evidence for any other claims or accomplishments in the petition letter, such as funding, memberships, or awards. Every claim should rest on objective evidence. Separate and clearly label all evidence so the USCIS officer can review your case easily.