AAO Decisions Explorer · Free
Published AAO appeal decisions
Search the decisions the Administrative Appeals Office has published, narrow them by visa, criterion, field and year, and read our summary of each one with a link to the official PDF.
Decisions in the library
6,586
6,586 classified
Visa types
3
Years covered
2005-2026
Latest decision
Aug 31, 2026
Filters
3 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- EB-2 NIWHealthcare, clinical2018Dismissed
Medical technologist employed at biocontainment facility sought NIW for EB-2 classification. AAO found substantial merit in laboratory work but rejected national importance requirement, concluding benefits were limited to employer rather than broader field impact, and dismissed appeal.
0 of 3 criteria metRead → - EB-2 NIWEducation and academia2018Dismissed
Elementary special education teacher sought NIW for EB-2 classification. AAO acknowledged merit of proposed instructional model but found no evidence of national importance or broader field impact, dismissing appeal under Dhanasar framework.
0 of 3 criteria metRead → - EB-2 NIWEnergy and climate2018Dismissed
Petroleum engineer sought NIW as EB-2 with advanced degree. Met first Dhanasar prong: carbon sequestration research has substantial merit and national importance. Failed second prong: citation record and publications insufficient to show well-positioned status to advance proposed endeavor.
1 of 3 criteria metRead →