A financial manager self-petitioner sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. The Director found substantial merit and national importance but denied overall. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to establish either advanced degree professional or exceptional ability status, making the underlying EB-2 classification prerequisite unmet.

An exercise physiologist and entrepreneur sought EB-2 classification and national interest waiver for work in exercise physiology and business. The AAO affirmed the service center's denial because the petitioner failed to demonstrate his proposed endeavor had national importance beyond his individual clients and lacked evidence of substantial economic impact.

A nurse sought NIW under EB-2. The AAO dismissed, finding that while her nursing endeavor had substantial merit, she failed to establish national importance because individual patient care lacks prospective impact on the nursing field or healthcare industry more broadly.

Physical therapist with Brazilian credentials sought EB-2 NIW classification. AAO reversed the Service Center finding and held petitioner failed to establish advanced degree professional status or exceptional ability, with insufficient progressive post-baccalaureate experience, making NIW analysis unnecessary.