A financial manager with advanced degree sought EB-2 NIW classification. Director and AAO agreed substantial merit was established but national importance was not. Petitioner claimed her Brazil-focused financial business would create economic bridges, but lacked independent corroborating evidence; field importance alone was insufficient.

Financial manager proposes self-funded fintech venture offering AI-driven financial guidance to economically distressed communities. Claimed national importance based on field value and target population impact. AAO affirmed denial: specific endeavor lacks demonstrated substantial economic impact, employment potential, or concrete implementation plan meeting national importance threshold.

An exercise physiologist and entrepreneur sought EB-2 classification and national interest waiver for work in exercise physiology and business. The AAO affirmed the service center's denial because the petitioner failed to demonstrate his proposed endeavor had national importance beyond his individual clients and lacked evidence of substantial economic impact.

A financial operations professional seeks NIW for EB-2. AAO reversed the initial denial of EB-2 qualification based on foreign degree equivalent but dismissed appeal because her proposed endeavor—establishing a financial consulting firm—lacked national importance; benefits would be limited to her own business and clients, not impact the field broadly.