Self-employed real estate businessperson sought EB-2 national interest waiver for sustainable affordable housing venture. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to establish EB-2 qualification as advanced degree professional and because proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance despite addressing affordable housing crisis.

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.

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.

An agricultural and construction consultant with an advanced degree sought EB-2 NIW to start a consulting company. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to demonstrate the proposed endeavor had substantial merit and national importance, lacking specific evidence of prospective impact beyond serving individual clients.