The National Interest Waiver (NIW) is one of the most flexible pathways to a U.S. green card, particularly for professionals with advanced skills or specialized expertise. At the heart of every NIW petition is the proposed endeavor statement, which explains what you intend to do in the United States and why it benefits the country. A well-structured proposed endeavor can strengthen your case and clearly demonstrate your value to U.S. national interests.
What Is the Proposed Endeavor?
The proposed endeavor is essentially your professional vision in the United States. It defines the work you plan to pursue and the impact you expect to create. It answers three critical questions: what you plan to do, why it matters to the United States, and why you are qualified to make it succeed. When framed properly, this section sets the tone for the entire petition and shows immigration officers how your expertise aligns with U.S. needs. In many cases, the proposed endeavor influences how every other part of your petition is reviewed because it explains why your work deserves attention at the national level.
Why It Matters in an NIW Petition
USCIS evaluates NIW petitions based on three criteria: substantial merit and national importance, whether you are well positioned to advance your endeavor, and whether waiving the job offer requirement benefits the United States. Your proposed endeavor directly affects the first two criteria. If your plan is vague or disconnected from U.S. priorities, it becomes difficult to establish national importance or to show why you are well positioned to succeed. Conversely, a clear and focused proposed endeavor gives the officer confidence that your work addresses a genuine U.S. need and that you have the experience to deliver meaningful results.
How USCIS Reviews Proposed Endeavors
Officers do not expect you to have every detail mapped out like a business plan, but they do expect a coherent vision. They want to see evidence that your proposed endeavor is not speculative and that it has a realistic chance of success. For example, if you state that you will “improve the U.S. healthcare system,” that statement is too broad and lacks an actionable plan. If you explain that you will “develop and apply advanced epidemiological models to monitor occupational exposure risks and reduce chronic disease in underserved worker populations,” that shows a defined focus, a measurable goal, and a logical connection to public health priorities. USCIS officers are looking for clarity and credibility, not perfect execution details.
How to Define Your Proposed Endeavor
The strongest proposed endeavors are specific and purposeful. Avoid generic statements such as “I want to work in healthcare” or “I want to do research in engineering.” Instead, describe the exact focus of your work and the outcomes it is designed to achieve. For example, instead of saying you want to work as a data scientist, explain that you plan to apply advanced machine learning models to optimize medical imaging systems in underserved healthcare settings. This level of clarity shows how your skills address a distinct problem and produce a direct benefit.
A strong proposed endeavor also incorporates supporting evidence from your background. If you have published research, secured patents, or led significant projects in your field, connect these achievements to your future plans. This demonstrates that your endeavor is both credible and achievable, and it shows how your unique experience places you in a strong position to advance your work.
Common Mistakes in Framing the Proposed Endeavor
One common mistake is being too broad. Applicants sometimes believe that grand, sweeping statements will impress USCIS, but the opposite is often true. The more focused your proposed endeavor, the easier it is for officers to understand and support it. Another mistake is focusing solely on personal career goals without explaining the national impact. While it is appropriate to include how the work benefits your professional growth, the emphasis must be on how it benefits the United States as a whole or a significant sector of society. Finally, some petitions simply restate a job description rather than a forward-looking vision. A proposed endeavor is not just what you do now; it is what you plan to accomplish and why it matters.
Connecting Your Experience to U.S. Priorities
Your professional background is one of your most powerful tools for establishing credibility. Explain how your skills, education, and past achievements directly relate to the proposed endeavor. Reference accomplishments that demonstrate your capability, such as published research, patents, leadership roles, or successful projects. Then connect those qualifications to U.S. priorities such as public health, technology development, energy security, or national infrastructure. This connection shows that your proposed endeavor is not just possible, but that you are uniquely qualified to carry it out.
How USCIS Views Impact
The term “national importance” does not mean that your work must directly affect the entire U.S. population. Instead, it means your work has the potential to create broad positive effects within your field, region, or target population. Your proposed endeavor should reflect an understanding of how your contributions fit into larger U.S. needs, whether by improving technological efficiency, advancing public health, or contributing to key industries like aerospace or renewable energy.
Why Clear Framing Leads to Stronger Petitions
When officers read your petition, they are looking for clarity, purpose, and credibility. A well-framed proposed endeavor gives them a clear picture of what you will do and why it matters. It helps them connect your expertise with U.S. priorities, making it easier to approve your petition. In many cases, the proposed endeavor becomes the narrative that holds the entire petition together, serving as the foundation for arguments on national importance and your ability to execute your plan.
Final Thoughts
Framing your proposed endeavor is more than just filling in a box on a form; it is your opportunity to define your professional future and prove its value to the United States. A well-written proposed endeavor highlights your vision, demonstrates how it benefits the country, and strengthens every other part of your NIW petition. Taking time to write it well, supported by evidence and clearly connected to national priorities, can have a meaningful impact on your case outcome.
If you need help framing your proposed endeavor, MCC Immigration specializes in NIW petitions for professionals from all over the world and can help you present your case effectively. Contact us for a free NIW evaluation
Thath Kim II
US Attorney
Licensed in Oregon
14F 1425, 311 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea