How to Write Proposed Endeavor for EB2 NIW

How to Write a Winning Proposed Endeavor for EB2 NIW: A Complete Guide

Introduction

The EB2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) visa category allows highly skilled professionals to bypass the labor certification process if their work is of substantial merit and national importance. A strong proposed endeavor is the most critical part of an EB2 NIW petition—it defines your professional objectives and proves why your work benefits the United States.

This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of crafting a compelling proposed endeavor that meets USCIS requirements, ensuring your petition stands out.

What is a Proposed Endeavor?

A proposed endeavor is a detailed statement outlining the work you intend to undertake in the U.S. It serves as a roadmap of your contributions and should highlight:

✅ What your work is about
✅ How it benefits the U.S. economy, security, health, or technology
✅ Why you are the right person to carry it out

Why is the Proposed Endeavor Important for EB2 NIW?

The USCIS adjudicators evaluate EB2 NIW petitions based on three prongs:

1- Substantial Merit – The endeavor must have significant value in science, technology, business, healthcare, energy, or another critical field. It should contribute to advancements in these areas and address pressing challenges in the United States.
National Importance – The work should impact the United States beyond an individual employer. It must have broader implications for the industry, the economy, national security, public welfare, or infrastructure development, demonstrating its potential to contribute to the country’s long-term growth and stability.

2- Well-Positioned to Succeed – The applicant must demonstrate a proven track record of success and the ability to advance the proposed endeavor effectively. This includes showcasing relevant education, skills, professional experience, past achievements, and access to necessary resources. The petitioner must provide strong evidence that they are uniquely qualified to carry out the proposed work and that their contributions will have a lasting impact on the field.

3- Labor Certification Waiver – The applicant must demonstrate that a labor certification should be waived because the benefits of their work to the United States outweigh the need to protect domestic workers. This requires proving that the endeavor has national significance, is not easily replaceable by U.S. workers, and that the applicant is well-positioned to advance their work independently, without employer sponsorship.

A well-written proposed endeavor strengthens your case by clearly addressing all three prongs.

Key Elements of a Strong Proposed Endeavor

1. Start with a Clear Statement of Your Proposed Endeavor

Your first paragraph should be concise and direct. Clearly state:

• Your field of work
• Your goals in the U.S.
• How your work aligns with U.S. interests

✅ Example Statement:
“My proposed endeavor is to develop and implement blockchain-based solutions for modernizing the U.S. energy grid, enhancing grid resilience, optimizing load distribution, and reducing economic losses caused by power outages. Through smart contract-based energy management, I aim to strengthen the reliability of power infrastructure while supporting the transition to clean energy.”

2. Explain the Industry Challenge and Why Your Work is Needed

To establish substantial merit and national importance, describe the current challenges in your field and how your work provides solutions.

🔹 Example:
“The United States experiences approximately $150 billion in economic losses annually due to power outages, affecting businesses, households, and essential services. Traditional centralized grid systems remain vulnerable to extreme weather events, cyberattacks, and inefficiencies. My work focuses on integrating decentralized blockchain-based energy management to eliminate single points of failure and enhance energy security.”

✅ Use Facts & Data:

• Reference government reports (e.g., U.S. Department of Energy).
• Use case studies demonstrating similar solutions worldwide.

3. Establish Substantial Merit

Demonstrate how your work contributes to the advancement of a critical industry. Explain:

✅ The significance of your field (e.g., renewable energy, blockchain, cybersecurity)
✅ How your work will improve existing processes
✅ The potential impact on society, businesses, or national security

🔹 Example Statement:
“Blockchain technology provides a transparent, tamper-proof system for managing energy transactions, reducing fraud, and optimizing energy distribution. By implementing automated smart contracts, energy resources can be allocated dynamically, preventing overloads and reducing inefficiencies in electricity consumption.”

🔹 Why This Works?
✔ It shows technical innovation.
✔ It aligns with U.S. government energy priorities.
✔ It addresses a real-world challenge with a data-driven solution.

4. Demonstrate National Importance

Your proposed endeavor must have a broad impact beyond a single employer or company.

✅ How to Prove National Importance:

• Reference U.S. policies or government programs related to your work.
• Show how your work improves infrastructure, security, or economic stability.
• Explain how it benefits multiple stakeholders (government, businesses, consumers).

🔹 Example Statement:
“My work aligns with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Modernization Initiative, which emphasizes the adoption of decentralized technologies to enhance grid resilience. Blockchain-based energy management can strengthen national energy security by reducing reliance on centralized control systems, mitigating cyber risks, and promoting renewable energy integration.”

🔹 Why This Works?
✔ It connects your work to a federal initiative.
✔ It demonstrates policy alignment.
✔ It establishes long-term value for the U.S..

5. Highlight Your Unique Qualifications

You must prove you are well-positioned to succeed in this endeavor by showcasing:

✅ Your education & specialized training
✅ Your past achievements & industry experience
✅ Successful projects or research you have completed

🔹 Example:
“I hold a Degree e.g Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Security and have extensive experience developing blockchain applications for energy infrastructure. As the Head of Engineering [or any other designation] at [Company Name], I successfully done [e.g your relevant projects] to improve decentralized system reliability. My research on blockchain scalability and energy optimization has been featured in industry conferences, highlighting my expertise in this domain.”

🔹 Why This Works?
✔ It highlights directly relevant experiences.
✔ It demonstrates technical authority.
✔ It shows a proven track record of success.

6. Explain the Future Impact of Your Work

Conclude by detailing how your proposed endeavor will continue to contribute to the U.S. in the long term.

✅ Future Contributions May Include:

• Economic growth (e.g., reducing power grid inefficiencies)
• Job creation (e.g., advancing blockchain technology in the energy sector)
• Environmental sustainability (e.g., supporting renewable energy adoption)

🔹 Example:
“My work will significantly contribute to U.S. economic stability by reducing annual losses from energy inefficiencies, estimated at $150 billion. By fostering the integration of renewable energy, my blockchain-based systems will support the nation’s clean energy transition goals. Furthermore, this initiative will open opportunities for U.S.-based blockchain development and infrastructure investments, strengthening the domestic energy sector.”

🔹 Why This Works?
✔ It demonstrates economic, environmental, and technological impact.
✔ It aligns with U.S. energy transition policies.
✔ It strengthens the case for a labor certification waiver.

Structuring Your Proposed Endeavor for Maximum Impact

Final Tips for Writing a Strong Proposed Endeavor

✅ Be Specific – Clearly define your goals, methods, and expected outcomes.
✅ Use Facts & References – Support your claims with credible data (USG reports, industry studies).
✅ Show Impact – Emphasize how your work benefits the U.S. economy, security, or infrastructure.
✅ Avoid Jargon – Use simple, professional language that USCIS officers can easily understand.
✅ Stay Focused – Keep content relevant to your proposed endeavor.

Conclusion

A well-structured proposed endeavor is key to a successful EB2 NIW petition. By demonstrating substantial merit, national importance, and your ability to succeed, you create a compelling case for USCIS approval.

Use this guide to craft a clear, persuasive, and policy-aligned proposed endeavor that highlights your unique contributions to the U.S..