A financial technologies researcher with a PhD sought NIW as self-petitioner to start a fintech startup. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance despite showing substantial merit; benefits were confined to specific employers and clients rather than the field broadly.

Information technology and telecommunications entrepreneur self-petitioner seeking national interest waiver under EB-2. The AAO dismissed, finding the petitioner met underlying EB-2 requirements but failed to demonstrate national importance; proposed cloud and 5G infrastructure services were not differentiated from existing providers.

Mechatronics engineer seeking NIW for self-employed industrial consulting focusing on environmental and manufacturing efficiency. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to establish national importance; confusing proposed company with endeavor and lacking objective evidence of field-level impact did not overcome first prong failure.

Production engineering consultant sought self-petitioner NIW for startup. Claimed substantial merit and national importance through job creation and business efficiency improvements. AAO found substantial merit but rejected national importance because projected 22 employees and revenue had insufficient demonstrated broader impact on national economy or engineering field.