You are being asked for “more likely than not,” not “extraordinary.”
NIW is decided on preponderance of the evidence — it is not the extraordinary-ability test.
The NIW is decided on the preponderance-of-the-evidence standard — each element shown “more likely than not,” more than 50% likely on the record presented. It is not a contest to prove you are among the best in your field; that is a different, higher category. The three Dhanasar questions are specific and answerable, and the burden is a civil one, not a demand for certainty.
The adjudication’s most-cited authority for the evidentiary standard is Matter of Chawathe (preponderance), sitting alongside Dhanasar for the three prongs. The extraordinary-ability framework (Kazarian) is adjacent to — not identical with — NIW prong analysis; importing “am I extraordinary?” thinking answers a question the NIW does not ask.
Argue that each Dhanasar element is more likely true than not, on corroborated facts — not that you are exceptional in the abstract. Aim evidence at meeting a threshold, not at maximizing a superlative.
“I need overwhelming proof that I’m one of the best.” The NIW asks a preponderance question about a specific endeavor and your positioning to advance it — over-proving excellence while under-proving the endeavor is the common misallocation.
I am preparing an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) petition and want you to review a draft against a finding from the public record of NIW decisions. THE FINDING: You are being asked for “more likely than not,” not “extraordinary.” NIW is decided on preponderance of the evidence — it is not the extraordinary-ability test. YOUR TASK: Review my draft for places where I argue that I am exceptional or among the best, rather than showing each required element is more likely than not on corroborated facts. Rewrite those passages to the preponderance posture. RULES: Work only from what I paste — do not invent facts about me. Do not predict outcomes or estimate chances. Point to specific sentences and propose concrete rewrites. --- MY DRAFT --- [Paste your draft here]