EB-2 NIWChemistry and materialsIndividualDecided February 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
FEB132026_01B5203
Merit and national importanceNot metWell positionedNot metBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
Chemical engineer self-petitioner sought NIW for EB-2 advanced degree classification. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner failed to establish national importance of proposed endeavor due to vague, inconsistent description of multiple different jobs, and failed to show he was well positioned to advance any coherent endeavor without demonstrated government interest or fellowship offer.
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 · Proposed endeavor described vaguely with multiple conflicting goals; lacked sufficiently specific and detailed description of national importance
- Well positioned · No coherent endeavor articulated; no evidence of government agency fellowship offer; no continued research post-PhD in May 2023
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Not met | Proposed endeavor described vaguely with multiple conflicting goals; lacked sufficiently specific and detailed description of national importance |
 Well positioned | Not met | No coherent endeavor articulated; no evidence of government agency fellowship offer; no continued research post-PhD in May 2023 |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | First two prongs failed; third prong not reached as unnecessary to decision |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.