EB-2 NIWEnergy and climateEmployerDecided September 2025Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
SEP222025_04B5203
Merit and national importanceNot metWell positionedNot reached / not discussedBalance favors a waiverNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
A field engineer and X-ray fluorescence analyst sought a national interest waiver for EB-2 classification. The AAO held that while the proposed research endeavor on petroleum engineering and methane emissions demonstrates substantial merit, it lacks national importance under Dhanasar's first prong, and did not address the remaining prongs.
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 · Research on abandoned underground oil and gas wells and methane emissions mitigation has substantial merit but lacks national importance
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Merit and national importance | Not met | Research on abandoned underground oil and gas wells and methane emissions mitigation has substantial merit but lacks national importance |
 Well positioned | Not reached / not discussed | First prong failed; decision reserves judgment on second prong |
 Balance favors a waiver | Not reached / not discussed | First prong failed; decision reserves judgment on third prong |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.