EB-2 NIWComputer science and AIIndividualDecided July 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
JUL292026_04B5203
Merit and national importanceNot metWell positionedNot reached / not discussedBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
Cybersecurity professional with master's degree sought EB-2 NIW for developing post-quantum cryptography toolkits for small and medium institutions. AAO found endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance: proposed work and supporting evidence did not establish prospective impact, funding plan, timeline, or scale of utilization commensurate with national benefit.
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 · Thesis and letters describe field and petitioner's expertise but lack prospective impact evidence; no explanation of how PQC toolkits will achieve national-scale utilization or broader implications
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Not met | Thesis and letters describe field and petitioner's expertise but lack prospective impact evidence; no explanation of how PQC toolkits will achieve national-scale utilization or broader implications |
 Well positioned | Not reached / not discussed | Not reached; dispositive failure on substantial merit and national importance prong makes remaining prongs unnecessary |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | Not reached; dispositive failure on substantial merit and national importance prong makes remaining prongs unnecessary |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.