EB-2 NIWElectrical and electronic engineeringIndividualDecided January 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
JAN132026_08B5203
Merit and national importanceNot metWell positionedNot metBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
An electrical engineer with a foreign Master's degree sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed research endeavor lacks the national or global implications required to establish national importance, and the petitioner is not well-positioned to advance it.
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 · Endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance; specific proposal shows no national or global implications beyond typical employer benefit.
- Well positioned · Petitioner showed no record of success, insufficient interest from entities, and no detailed plan; six publications in eleven years insufficient for field.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Not met | Endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance; specific proposal shows no national or global implications beyond typical employer benefit. |
 Well positioned | Not met | Petitioner showed no record of success, insufficient interest from entities, and no detailed plan; six publications in eleven years insufficient for field. |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | First and second Dhanasar prongs dispositive; third prong not reached. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.