Skill Assessment for USA

The skill assessment for the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) visa in the USA involves demonstrating exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business, or showcasing advanced degrees (master’s degree or higher) along with work that benefits the national interest of the United States. Here’s a detailed overview, including assessing bodies involved in the process:

Skill Assessment for EB-2 NIW Visa

Educational Qualifications

• Applicants must possess at least a master’s degree or equivalent in their field to qualify under the EB-2 category. Alternatively, individuals with a bachelor’s degree may qualify if they can demonstrate exceptional ability in their field.

Exceptional Ability

• This involves showing expertise significantly above that normally encountered in the field. Evidence can include academic achievements, publications, conference presentations, awards, and membership in professional associations.

National Interest Waiver Criteria

• Applicants must demonstrate that their work is of substantial intrinsic merit and will benefit the United States. They must provide evidence of past achievements and show how their work is crucial to the national interest, such as economic, cultural, educational, or welfare benefits.

Letters of Recommendation

• Applicants must demonstrate that their work is of substantial intrinsic merit and will benefit the United States. They must provide evidence of past achievements and show how their work is crucial to the national interest, such as economic, cultural, educational, or welfare benefits.

Letters of Recommendation

• Strong letters from experts in the applicant’s field are crucial. These letters should discuss the applicant’s qualifications, achievements, and the impact of their work on their field and beyond.

Evidence of Impact

• Applicants must present tangible evidence of their impact, such as published work, citations, patents, innovations, media coverage, or testimonials from peers and stakeholders.

Assessing Bodies Involved

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

• USCIS is the primary authority responsible for adjudicating EB-2 NIW visa petitions. They review the evidence presented by applicants to determine if they meet the criteria for exceptional ability and if their work serves the national interest of the United States.

Independent Credential Evaluation Agencies

• These agencies evaluate foreign educational credentials to determine their U.S. equivalency. This is crucial for applicants who obtained their degrees outside the United States.
• Examples of recognized credential evaluation agencies include World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), and International Education Research Foundation (IERF).

Expert Evaluators and Peer Reviewers

• Depending on the applicant’s field of expertise, USCIS may consult external experts or peer reviewers to assess the significance and impact of the applicant’s work. These experts provide independent evaluations to support the applicant’s claims.

Professional Associations and Societies

• Membership or endorsements from relevant professional associations can strengthen an applicant’s case. These organizations may provide letters of support or other forms of recognition that highlight the applicant’s standing within their professional community.