Published AAO appeal decisions

Financial manager seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver. Proposed work involves financial management for private security company. Failed first Dhanasar prong: insufficient evidence that proposed financial management work has national importance, broader field implications, significant job creation potential, or substantial positive economic effects. Appeal dismissed.

An oil and gas investment portfolio director claimed six extraordinary ability criteria. The AAO found three criteria met: scholarly articles, leading role, and high salary. However, at final merits the decision held the publication record was too recent and lacked citation evidence of sustained acclaim to establish extraordinary ability.

A quantitative analyst and vice president at a financial firm sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner met only leading role and high salary criteria, but failed on scholarly articles lacking major publication venues and original contributions lacking field-wide impact.

Software development executive in financial technology claimed extraordinary ability via membership, original contributions, critical role, and salary. AAO found only critical role criterion met, disagreed with director on salary, rejected membership and contributions as insufficient. Dismissed for failing three-criterion threshold.

A financial specialist seeking EB-2 classification with national interest waiver for facilitating Eastern European investment in U.S. real estate. Qualifies as advanced degree holder but fails NIW first prong; proposed endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance, showing insufficient economic impact beyond company operations.

A financial manager sought an EB-2 national interest waiver to work for U.S. companies on restructuring and foreign investment attraction. The AAO dismissed because her proposed endeavor lacked national importance; it would only benefit her employer and clients, not the financial services industry or broader economy.