How We Helped a Client Respond to an EB-2 NIW RFE With a Stronger Business Plan
Inside the strategy that turned a generic templated-plan into a 45-page, data-driven EB-2 NIW business plan, and a fully interconnected petition.
When this client came to us, he had a promising idea: a sustainable agriculture consulting business aimed at improving soil health and food security in underserved U.S. regions.
But what he didn’t have — yet — was a compelling case for USCIS. His initial documents were vague, general, and loosely connected that triggered a Request for Evidence.
Read below to understand how we helped him go from uncertainty to confidence — with a well-structured business plan, a clear personal statement, and a fully integrated petition package.
But first…
Understanding the EB-2 NIW and the Three Dhanasar Prongs
The EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) lets you bypass a job offer if your work benefits the U.S. nationally. To qualify, you must satisfy three USCIS criteria, known as the Dhanasar prongs:
Prong 1: Substantial Merit and National Importance
Your endeavor must have meaningful impact — whether economic, environmental, health-related, or cultural — and benefit the U.S. at a national or regional level.Prong 2: Well Positioned to Advance the Endeavor
You must demonstrate that you have the education, skills, and experience to successfully carry out the project.Prong 3: On Balance, Waiving the Job Offer Would Benefit the U.S.
You need to prove that your independent work is better than going through the traditional labor certification and employment process.
Our Client’s Case
Our client’s original petition was general and didn’t clearly address these prongs, especially Prong 1. USCIS issued an RFE asking for more convincing evidence of national importance and why the petitioner’s independent pursuit was necessary. Here is a step-by-step strategy that helped turn his vague business plan into a convincing, data-driven evidence.
Step 1: Diagnosing the Weaknesses
We started with what many self-petitioners bring to the table:
A thoughtful but generic business plan
A personal statement that described what he wanted to do — but not why it mattered
Letters of support that felt more personal than professional
What was missing?
No clear connection to national interest
No evidence of market demand
No roadmap, metrics, or strategic structure
No explanation of why this work had to be pursued independently
Step 2: Building a Solid EB-2 NIW Business Plan
The EB-2 NIW isn’t just about potential. It’s about national value — and a clear case that the petitioner is well-positioned to deliver it, without needing employer sponsorship.
Here’s what we changed — and why it worked.
We made it data-driven.
We used real U.S. agricultural reports and census data to define a large total addressable market for his services. The numbers told a story of regional food system gaps — and a business designed to fill them.
We focused the impact.
Rather than citing vague sustainability goals, we aligned his mission with three specific federal policy areas:
Rural Prosperity initiative
Environmental Justice goals
That gave his project a real hook into national interest — not just personal or local benefit.
We addressed each Dhanasar prong — in the business plan.
We didn't treat the business plan as a side document. Instead, we used it to:
Prove national importance (Prong 1) with data and policy alignment
Show he was well positioned (Prong 2) via a clear execution timeline, budget, and responsibilities
Argue that his work was best pursued independently (Prong 3), with competitor analysis showing that employment would limit or compromise his mission
We created structure and clarity.
We included a clear development timeline, budget breakdown, and KPIs for each stage — including soil restoration metrics and target client profiles.
We added visual support.
We included website mockups and service workflow charts to help USCIS reviewers quickly grasp how the business would operate.
We strengthened the team narrative.
We linked his resume to each operational role — showing exactly how his prior experience prepared him for every part of the business. No filler. Just clear evidence.
We upgraded the letter strategy.
We suggested new third-party letters from relevant U.S.-based agricultural policy stakeholders and aligned their content directly with his petition claims.
Step 3: A Fully Interconnected Petition Package
The final result wasn’t just a business plan — it was a case.
A 45-page strategic document that interlocked with every part of the petition:
The business plan spoke directly to the personal statement
The personal statement referred back to milestones and data in the plan
The letters reinforced points from both, referencing national goals and the client’s unique contribution
And together, they formed a compelling, consistent narrative: this project matters, this person is ready, and no employer could better serve this mission
Why This Matters
If you’re applying for an EB-2 NIW, you can’t afford to submit a scattered or generic petition. Make sure your petition supporting EB-2 NIW business plan has:
A clear reason to waive the job offer requirement
A confident, well-positioned plan
A petition that feels cohesive — not cobbled together
At Robinomics Consulting, we don’t just write — we build. We help you connect the dots between your work, your skills, and the national benefit you offer.
Need specialized EB-2 NIW business plan writing services? Whether you’re just starting out or refining a draft, we’ll join you at every step.