Mechanical engineer petitioner seeks NIW for self-sponsored work on driving automation technologies. Claimed substantial merit and national importance of proposed endeavor. AAO affirmed denial, finding work lacked demonstrated national importance beyond employer and failed first prong.

IT consultant sought EB-2 with national interest waiver claiming exceptional ability. AAO affirmed second denial after remand, finding only one of six exceptional ability criteria met. National importance not established for proposed IT consulting endeavor.

Transportation engineer with PhD in civil engineering claims national interest waiver for EB-2 advanced degree category. Proposed work involves predicting traffic accidents and implementing solutions. AAO found endeavor has substantial merit but lacks sufficient evidence of national importance and prospective impact; importance of the industry alone does not establish national importance of the specific endeavor.

An urban and regional planning researcher sought EB-2 classification with a national interest waiver. The AAO found the proposed endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance, as it did not demonstrate novel innovation or broader field-wide impact comparable to Dhanasar examples. The first NIW prong failed, and remaining prongs were not reached; the appeal was dismissed.