Published AAO appeal decisions

Electrical engineer seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner failed to establish EB-2 eligibility and, independently, failed the first Dhanasar prong by not demonstrating his specific proposed endeavor has national importance.

Mechatronics engineer sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. Described endeavor as continued employment with multinational companies on cross-border transactions; later added business plan and service company. AAO held proposed endeavor lacked national importance; business plan materials presented new facts post-filing; letters and articles address industry, not specific endeavor impact.

A finance consultant with advanced degree seeks EB-2 NIW. The petitioner proposed operating a financial consulting company. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the endeavor lacks national importance and substantial positive economic effects required under Dhanasar.

A project manager in sustainable construction seeks NIW for solar panel and green building consulting. AAO dismissed appeal because the endeavor, though meritorious, lacks national importance and the petitioner provided inconsistent and vague descriptions of the specific proposed activities.

A pediatrician seeks NIW to open a pediatric medical clinic in Florida. AAO dismissed because the proposed endeavor, though in a meritorious field, lacks national importance; it does not establish prospective impact on pediatric practice broadly or substantial economic effect at the national level.

Professional with 25 years in oil and gas sought NIW for digital transformation and operations manager role. AAO held substantial merit was established but dismissed because proposed endeavor lacked national importance; applicant's career experience could not substitute for demonstrating the specific endeavor's prospective impact and broader implications.

Veterinary sonographer sought NIW under EB-2 with job offer. AAO dismissed the appeal because the proposed endeavor of providing veterinary sonography services lacks national importance; it only benefits individual pet owners rather than impacting the veterinary field broadly or the national economy.

Physical therapist working for major league soccer team sought EB-2 NIW. Claimed teaching and mentoring activities had national importance. AAO found substantial merit but no national importance: individual work lacks prospective impact beyond employer; no evidence of field-wide advancement or economic effects.

Drilling engineer with advanced degree seeking national interest waiver for EB-2 classification. Petitioner claimed endeavor in oil and gas drilling had national importance. AAO affirmed Director's finding that endeavor had substantial merit but lacked evidence of national importance; general industry importance does not establish specific endeavor's national importance without prospective economic impact data.

Plant researcher seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver for plant propagation research. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner failed to describe specific proposed endeavor and did not show how his individual work would impact the broader field at national level.

Political scientist sought EB-2 national interest waiver after qualifying for advanced degree classification. Director found substantial merit but not national importance. AAO affirmed, holding petitioner failed to demonstrate specific prospective impact of Central Asian affairs research on field or U.S. economy at requisite level.

A cleaning-products manufacturer petitioned for its president, seeking an advanced degree classification with a national interest waiver. The service center found the degree qualification met but denied the waiver. The AAO dismissed the appeal, holding that national importance of the endeavor was not shown through employment or economic effects, and reserved the other prongs.

A sports coordinator and trainer sought EB-2 with national interest waiver under Dhanasar. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance, despite addressing the important issue of childhood obesity. The petitioner failed to show the work would impact U.S. soccer or public health broadly or generate substantial positive economic effects.

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.

Employer-sponsored public relations manager with advanced degree sought EB-2 NIW. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to establish national importance under Dhanasar; her proposed work was limited to specific employers and clients without broader economic or field-level impact.

A military officer with advanced degree in special and tactical operations seeks EB-2 NIW. The petitioner proposed creating a security consulting company. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the endeavor fails to demonstrate national importance or substantial economic effects under Dhanasar.

Legal analyst sought EB-2 national interest waiver. Director found petitioner qualified for underlying EB-2 classification but failed all three Dhanasar prongs. AAO affirmed, finding petitioner changed proposed endeavor from legal analyst to legal business analyst entrepreneur, preventing coherent Dhanasar analysis.

Research analyst with advanced degree sought NIW for EB-2 proposing research on preventing recidivism in juvenile detention facilities. AAO found beneficiary qualified for EB-2 but dismissed because proposed endeavor lacked sufficient evidence of national importance or broader field impact.

Bank manager seeking national interest waiver. Director found substantial merit but denied on national importance grounds. AAO affirmed and additionally withdrew director's second-prong finding due to petitioner's inconsistent evidence about the proposed endeavor.

Geoscientist seeking national interest waiver for exploration geology work. Director found substantial merit but no national importance. AAO affirmed; endeavor lacks broader implications, significant job creation potential, or substantial positive economic effects beyond employer and clients.

Mechanical engineer with advanced degree seeking NIW. Proposed endeavor involved high-end engineering work in oil and gas industry. AAO found endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance. Impact limited to employer and clients without broader implications for mechanical engineering or oil and gas field. No significant U.S. employment potential shown.

Business development manager with advanced degree sought NIW for EB-2 proposing sales strategy development in cybersecurity and IT. AAO found substantial merit but dismissed because proposed work lacked broader implications for the industry or economy at level of national importance.

A geophysicist engineer seeks NIW for EB-2. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to establish U.S. equivalency of foreign advanced degree, thus lacking underlying EB-2 qualification; proposed endeavor also lacks demonstrated national importance.

Research associate in electrical and computer engineering conducting NSF-funded research on miniaturized robots for cardiovascular treatment and underwater systems. AAO sustained appeal, finding he satisfied all three Dhanasar prongs: national importance established, well positioned via publications and grants, and contributions sufficiently valuable to benefit the United States.

Nurse sought EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance under first Dhanasar prong; work impacts specific patients and workplace but not the nursing field or U.S. healthcare industry broadly.