EB-2 NIWMechanical and aerospace engineeringEmployerDecided April 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
APR022026_03B5203
Merit and national importanceNot metWell positionedNot reached / not discussedBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
A mechanical engineer sought a national interest waiver for an EB-2 employment-based petition. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to establish that the proposed thermal management research endeavor has national importance, the first Dhanasar prong required for waiver eligibility.
Official PDF
Official PDF ↗Published by USCIS. The summary is ours, in our own words; the decision text is on uscis.gov.
No criterion in the table was found met in this decision.
What was missing
- Merit and national importance · Petitioner failed to establish national importance of proposed thermal management research endeavor
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Not met | Petitioner failed to establish national importance of proposed thermal management research endeavor |
 Well positioned | Not reached / not discussed | First prong failed; remaining prongs not addressed and reserved |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | First prong failed; remaining prongs not addressed and reserved |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.