Outcome: Dismissed
SEP062023_03B5203
Our summary
Mental health counselor with advanced degree sought NIW for independent practice. Petitioner argued field importance and her expertise; AAO affirmed denial because proposed solo practice lacked national importance, operating only at individual patient level without business plan, projections, or broader regional or national impact.
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 · Mental health counseling practice lacked national importance; benefits limited to individual patients without broader industry or regional impact.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Not met | Mental health counseling practice lacked national importance; benefits limited to individual patients without broader industry or regional impact. | |
| Not reached / not discussed | First prong failed; decision reserved analysis of second prong. | |
| Not reached / not discussed | First prong failed; decision reserved analysis of third prong. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.
