EB-2 NIWMechanical and aerospace engineeringEmployerDecided April 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
APR232026_01B5203
Merit and national importanceNot reached / not discussedWell positionedNot metBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
An industrial engineer with a doctorate in transportation engineering sought an EB-2 national interest waiver for predictive maintenance research. The AAO dismissed, finding the petitioner failed to demonstrate she was well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor despite meeting the first prong.
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
- Well positioned · Petitioner's advanced degree and research in predictive maintenance insufficient; work did not demonstrate record of success or substantial positive discourse in field
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Not reached / not discussed | AAO reserved determination because petitioner failed second prong; no agreement that first prong satisfied |
 Well positioned | Not met | Petitioner's advanced degree and research in predictive maintenance insufficient; work did not demonstrate record of success or substantial positive discourse in field |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | AAO declined to reach third prong because failure on second prong was dispositive |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.