Meritocrat Platform | USCIS Knowledge Base Response

How does USCIS evaluate “Original Contributions of Major Significance” and how should evidence be presented?

USCIS Concern Summary

USCIS evaluates two core questions under 8 CFR 204.5(h)(3)(v):

• Did the work go beyond routine development or execution?

• Did the contribution have significance to the field as a whole, not only within one employer?

Evidence that only shows participation, internal success, or product development without broader impact is typically found insufficient.

How Meritocrat Platform Useful for You to Frame the Evidence

Step 1. Define the Field Correctly

USCIS evaluates contributions within a defined field, not a job title.

In this case, the field was defined as:

• Enterprise hybrid data platforms and infrastructure security implementation at scale

This matters because USCIS applies different standards to:

• Academic research

• Business and industry innovation

Meritocrat platform provides Portfolio to define Field Of Endeavor. Meritocrat Platform has logics to identify the applicants profile, so platform can easily flag when applicants mistakenly frame business contributions using academic metrics such as citations or journals.

Step 2. Establish Originality

USCIS does not require invention or patents.

USCIS requires proof of original contribution.

Meritocrat identifies originality when evidence shows the petitioner:

• Designed new methodologies, frameworks, or operational models

• Solved industry-wide challenges related to modernization, scalability, or security

• Created standardized or reusable solutions that did not previously exist in operational form

Originality is demonstrated through:

• Creation plus adoption

• Not novelty claims alone

If others used the solution, relied on it, or replicated it, originality is established.

Step 3. Prove Major Significance

USCIS distinguishes between:

• Useful work

• Field-significant work

Based on Attorney’s Context, Meritocrat confirms major significance when evidence shows:

• Organization-wide adoption, not isolated use

• Measurable outcomes such as efficiency gains, time reduction, or adoption acceleration

• Replication across multiple clients, business units, or industry sectors

Field-level significance exists when:

• The contribution changes how work is done at scale

• The outcome would not exist without the petitioner’s work

Isolated success is insufficient.

Systemic impact is required.

Step 4. External Validation

For business contributions, USCIS does not require citation counts.

Meritocrat platform helps you to collect evidence according to response from the question set by Attorney or self analysis to reflect real-world reliance, including:

• Independent expert letters explaining why the contribution matters beyond one employer

• Industry publications or third-party recognition referencing the work or its outcomes

• Evidence that the approach influenced accepted industry practices

USCIS gives weight to validation that explains:

• Why the contribution mattered

• Who relied on it

• What changed because of it

Use of Overlapping Evidence Across Criteria

USCIS policy allows the same evidence to support multiple criteria.

Meritocrat applies this guidance intentionally where you can map the evidence to two criteria it helps Firm while presenting your evidence.

• Evidence proving original contributions can also establish critical role

• Evidence showing leadership at scale can also demonstrate major significance

Artificial separation weakens petitions.

Real-world impact overlaps naturally.

Why This Approach Meets USCIS Standards

Meritocrat Platform designed to get applicant’s clarity, so attorney can certain about success.

• 8 CFR 204.5(h)(3)(v) Original contributions of major significance

• 8 CFR 204.5(h)(3)(viii) Leading or critical role

• Matter of Kazarian framework separating evidence from final merits

• Preponderance of evidence standard using cumulative, corroborated proof

Most importantly, this approach shifts the adjudication question from:

• Was the petitioner good at the job?

to:

• Did the organization and the field materially depend on the petitioner’s work?

That is the standard USCIS applies.