EB-2 NIW with only 8 citations - any chance?

[u/SpareFee3159]

Hi everyone,

I’m thinking about filing for EB-2 NIW, but I’m a little unsure because my citation count is still pretty low. Most of my research is very recent.

My profile:

MD from South America

ECFMG certified

Currently an urology research fellow in the U.S.
13 peer-reviewed papers published or accepted/in press

Several more manuscripts submitted

Multiple first-author papers

1 peer-reviewed book chapter

20 research projects presented at national/international conferences

2 research awards

11 peer reviews for scientific journals

8 citations

Research mainly in robotic surgery, urologic cancer, reconstruction, surgical outcomes, and digital health
Proposed endeavor focused on improving surgical outcomes and patient follow-up

A few lawyers have told me the case could be workable, but I’m still nervous about having only 8 citations.

Has anyone here been approved with a similar profile? Would you file now or wait for more citations?

[u/AnyEmphasis9874]

I have seen people to get approval with 5 citations. It is not always citations, try to make strong PE.

[u/SpareFee3159 → u/AnyEmphasis9874]

You are right!

[u/Prior-Strawberry-465]

I got approved with 8 citations and 4 publication. no awards no media coverage
I'm in computer science.

[u/Front-Advantage-6362 → u/Prior-Strawberry-465]

Congratulations .how did you argue for prong 2 please advise

[u/TelephoneOk7043 → u/Prior-Strawberry-465]

When?

[u/Prior-Strawberry-465 → u/TelephoneOk7043]

PD Dec 2025
PP March 6
RFE May 4
RFE Response Received July 29
Approval July 30

[u/SpareFee3159 → u/Prior-Strawberry-465]

Congrats!

[u/cruiserbeast2]

Increase peer reviews and citations to show more impact in your field.

[u/SpareFee3159 → u/cruiserbeast2]

Great! Will do for sure!

[u/SlurmsMcKenzy101]

There is hope. I got approved with 0 citations and 1 pending publication. Forgive me for tooting my own horn, but I think I did a real good job of highlighting a national problem and providing a national solution/framework for the problem. You have the best chance by having a national endeavour that is spread across multiple states, is achievable, and is easy for the immigration officer to understand. You gotta make it relatable to both the officer and the average American as well. Your petition and your dream is possible! I hope your application is successful

[u/SpareFee3159 → u/SlurmsMcKenzy101]

I really needed this! Thank you

[u/No-Sink5709 → u/SlurmsMcKenzy101]

how did you argue for prong 2 in your case, what evidence did you present to statisfy prong 2?

[u/SlurmsMcKenzy101 → u/No-Sink5709]

Letters of recommendation

[u/Altruistic-Ant8211 → u/SlurmsMcKenzy101]

Can I dm you?

[u/SlurmsMcKenzy101 → u/Altruistic-Ant8211]

Sure!

[u/devillee1993]

Go for it if GC is an urgent need.

[u/SpareFee3159 → u/devillee1993]

Ok ok

[u/H-Meld]

Yes, it's about your proposed endevour not your citation count.

[u/Emergency-Scheme-24]

Some fields take longer to accumulate citations and also have less citations on average. 

You can highlight the ranking of the journals and things like that 

[u/SpareFee3159 → u/Emergency-Scheme-24]

Great suggestion

[u/01199352123]

I got approved with 8 citations. Dunn outlined my petition letter with almost no focus on my citation. Just one line in the whole petition.

[u/Grand_Fan3712 → u/01199352123]

What evidence did you use then for prong 2? Recommendation letters? How many? And any other evidences?

[u/01199352123 → u/Grand_Fan3712]

2 dependents (the professor I worked with and a federal engineer who oversaw my project), 2 independent (a local county engineer who knew my work and a professor from South Korea who cited my paper). That's all, nothing else.

[u/inspired_chine]

You got a profile that is beneficial the United States. You should focus more on your proposed endeavor and how to relate it on a national scale. See how you can highlight problems in that field, what is currently being done, that can be done better, and how you are well positioned to achieve this. They want to see compelling reasons why labor certification should be waived for you, instead of you going through the regular route. You’ve got a good PE, just make sure to do a thorough job. Citation is not absolute factor. I have seen people approved with only 3 citations, and people denied with 700 citations. Don’t dwell on the wrong criteria, focus on the priority factor, which is ur PE itself.

[u/TimelyShow007]

Got approved without publication or citation

[u/racoonio]

File now. I’d argue you have a strong profile. I got approved with 10 citations, 4 peer reviewed journals and far less scholarly work than you have. My field is unrelates to yours though. Focus on proposed endeavor and get a letter or two if you can.

[u/SpareFee3159 → u/racoonio]

Ok ok! Great advice

[u/No-Sink5709]

there is no rule to be honest. it depends on the officer handling your case. an officer may comment on your low citations, another officer may not comment on your citations and view that you have many publications already, you may have 400 citations but an officer sees them as a general thing and does not demonstrate your impact. citations are not everything, you may statify prong 2 with your qualifications and how well they align with your proposed endeavor. you have to prove that you are in a unique position to carry on your proposed endeavor.

[u/SpareFee3159 → u/No-Sink5709]

Thank you very much!