EB-2 NIWLife sciences and medicineIndividualDecided February 2025Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
FEB052025_04B5203
Merit and national importanceMetWell positionedNot metBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
Laboratory supervisor sought EB-2 with national interest waiver to conduct immunological research for drug development. AAO held petitioner not well-positioned to advance proposed endeavor; research publications and praise insufficient without concrete evidence of past success or funded future projects.
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
- Merit and national importance · Director determined first prong satisfied; AAO reserved decision but acknowledged merit and national importance found.
What was missing
- Well positioned · Petitioner lacked track record of success in drug development, sufficient funding plan, and demonstrated progress toward proposed research goals.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Met | Director determined first prong satisfied; AAO reserved decision but acknowledged merit and national importance found. |
 Well positioned | Not met | Petitioner lacked track record of success in drug development, sufficient funding plan, and demonstrated progress toward proposed research goals. |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | Not reached because second prong failed; no need to analyze third prong when earlier prong is dispositive. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.