A denial on all three Dhanasar prongs is
discouraging. But it is not necessarily the end
of your EB-2 NIW journey. Many applicants who
were initially denied have gone on to receive
approvals on subsequent filings.
Why Denials Happen
Denials across all three prongs usually mean the
petition had structural problems — not that the
applicant doesn’t qualify. Common issues include:
A business plan that didn’t address all three
prongs with specific evidence. Generic letters
of recommendation that didn’t connect your work
to the national interest. A weak evidentiary
foundation that relied too heavily on
self-reported accomplishments.
Before You Refile
Read the denial notice carefully. USCIS explains
specifically what was missing or insufficient for
each prong. This is valuable feedback — it tells
you exactly what to fix.
Then honestly assess whether you can build
a substantially stronger case. If the same
petition is filed again with the same evidence,
the result is likely to be the same.
What a Stronger Refile Looks Like
A stronger refile typically includes:
New independent expert letters that specifically
address the gaps identified in the denial. A
professionally written business plan that
directly addresses all three Dhanasar prongs
with data and specificity. Additional evidence
of national impact — citations, awards, media
coverage, or measurable outcomes from your work.
The Reality of Refiling
Approvals after initial denials do happen.
Officers are not bound by previous decisions.
A new, stronger petition gets a fresh
evaluation. The key is making sure the new
filing genuinely addresses the reasons for
the original denial.
If your original petition did not include a
business plan, adding one in your refile can
make a significant difference. WhereWePlan
writes USCIS-compliant EB-2 NIW business plans delivered in 10 days.
Visit whereweplan.com or WhatsApp us at
+91 96636 19020.