An entrepreneurship professor sought EB-2 NIW for teaching and training programs. The AAO found the endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance because the evidence showed only local educational impact, not broader field implications or substantial economic effects needed for national interest.

Accounting and finance manager seeking NIW. Met substantial merit but failed national importance requirement. AAO dismissed appeal, finding that general importance of accounting and finance field is insufficient and petitioner failed to show proposed endeavor impacts STEM field or critical emerging technology.

Information technology and telecommunications entrepreneur self-petitioner seeking national interest waiver under EB-2. The AAO dismissed, finding the petitioner met underlying EB-2 requirements but failed to demonstrate national importance; proposed cloud and 5G infrastructure services were not differentiated from existing providers.

An operations manager and marketing developer for a pool construction business sought a national interest waiver after qualifying as an advanced degree professional. The AAO held that the proposed endeavor lacked national importance, since its impact stayed with the company and customers, and reserved the remaining prongs.