EB-2 NIWEnergy and climateIndividualDecided January 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
JAN282026_09B5203
Merit and national importanceNot metWell positionedNot reached / not discussedBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
A chief executive with advanced electrical engineering degree sought EB-2 national interest waiver to start an energy efficiency consulting business. The AAO rejected the petition, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance. Working in renewable energy alone does not establish national importance; the specific business must show broader prospective economic impact beyond serving individual clients.
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 energy efficiency consulting business lacked documented prospective impact beyond clients to affect industry broadly.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Not met | Proposed energy efficiency consulting business lacked documented prospective impact beyond clients to affect industry broadly. |
 Well positioned | Not reached / not discussed | Not reached because first prong failed; no purpose in analyzing petitioner's qualifications. |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | Not reached because first prong failed; discretionary analysis unnecessary. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.