EB-2 NIWLife sciences and medicineEmployerDecided October 2022Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
OCT252022_01B5203
Merit and national importanceMetWell positionedNot metBalance favors a waiverNot met
Our summary
Medical researcher in liver transplantation sought EB-2 NIW. Service center found advanced degree qualification but denied waiver. AAO found proposed research had national importance but petitioner was not well positioned to advance it—lacking sufficient publication record, citations, and field recognition to demonstrate success trajectory.
Official PDF
Official PDF ↗Published by USCIS. The summary is ours, in our own words; the decision text is on uscis.gov.
What the AAO accepted
- Merit and national importance · Liver transplant research has broader implications within field; evidence shows national importance of proposed endeavor.
What was missing
- Well positioned · Insufficient record of success; limited publications, conference presentations not yet generating field interest or citations.
- Balance favors a waiver · Even with national importance shown, petitioner's limited success record and lack of field recognition meant waiver not warranted.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Met | Liver transplant research has broader implications within field; evidence shows national importance of proposed endeavor. |
 Well positioned | Not met | Insufficient record of success; limited publications, conference presentations not yet generating field interest or citations. |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not met | Even with national importance shown, petitioner's limited success record and lack of field recognition meant waiver not warranted. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.