EB-2 NIWOtherIndividualDecided April 2023Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
APR052023_06B5203
Merit and national importanceNot metWell positionedMetBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
A self-petitioner researcher in geospatial information management sought an NIW as an advanced degree professional. The AAO affirmed denial, finding she demonstrated substantial merit and was well-positioned but failed to establish the national importance of her proposed research as required by Dhanasar's first prong.
Official PDF
Official PDF ↗Published by USCIS. The summary is ours, in our own words; the decision text is on uscis.gov.
What the AAO accepted
- Well positioned · Director found petitioner well-positioned; AAO did not disturb this finding.
What was missing
- Merit and national importance · Petitioner demonstrated substantial merit but failed to show national importance of proposed geospatial research at petition filing.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Not met | Petitioner demonstrated substantial merit but failed to show national importance of proposed geospatial research at petition filing. |
 Well positioned | Met | Director found petitioner well-positioned; AAO did not disturb this finding. |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | Decision reserved analysis of balance prong after finding failure of first prong. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.