EB-2 NIWCivil and environmental engineeringIndividualDecided August 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
AUG262026_01B5203
Merit and national importanceNot metWell positionedNot reached / not discussedBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
A researcher in earthquake science and seismic monitoring sought a national interest waiver of the job offer requirement under the Dhanasar framework. The AAO accepted substantial merit but held the proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance, since broader field benefits and federal priorities did not show his own work's impact. It dismissed the appeal.
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 · Substantial merit was accepted, but national importance of the specific proposed research endeavor was not shown.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Not met | Substantial merit was accepted, but national importance of the specific proposed research endeavor was not shown. |
 Well positioned | Not reached / not discussed | Not reached because the first prong failed; further analysis would serve no purpose. |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | Not reached because the first prong failed; further analysis would serve no purpose. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.