EB-2 NIWEntrepreneurshipEmployerDecided May 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
MAY072026_01B5203
Merit and national importanceNot metWell positionedNot reached / not discussedBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
Chief operating officer of NSF-funded fire suppression technology startup seeking EB-2 NIW. Qualified for underlying EB-2. AAO affirmed denial of first Dhanasar prong: while fire suppression field is important, petitioner's specific operational work lacks national importance beyond employer benefits and does not broadly impact the industry.
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 · COO work as operations benefit employer only, not field-wide firefighting or suppression technology advancement
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Not met | COO work as operations benefit employer only, not field-wide firefighting or suppression technology advancement |
 Well positioned | Not reached / not discussed | First prong failed; second and third prongs not reached |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | First prong failed; second and third prongs not reached |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.