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
13 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- EB-2 NIWMarketing, media, communicationsDec 2025Dismissed
An advertising and marketing manager sought a national interest waiver for EB-2 classification. The AAO dismissed because her proposed work developing and marketing sustainable bee products lacked national importance, lacking evidence of national or global field implications or substantial economic effects beyond her employer.
0 of 3 criteria metRead → - EB-2 NIWMarketing, media, communicationsJun 2025Dismissed
An advertising firm sought to employ a strategist under the EB-2 advanced degree category, not a national interest waiver. The job did not require an advanced degree. The firm asked on appeal to recategorize the petition as a professional filing, but the AAO declined because the request came too late, and also noted missing ability-to-pay evidence.
Read → - EB-2 NIWMarketing, media, communicationsDec 2024Dismissed
Marketing manager sought EB-2 NIW. AAO dismissed appeal, finding insufficient evidence of national importance under Dhanasar's first prong. Petitioner's endeavor lacked detail and specificity; benefits appeared bounded by single employer rather than demonstrating broader national implications.
0 of 3 criteria metRead → - EB-2 NIWMarketing, media, communicationsJul 2024Dismissed
A marketing specialist sought NIW under EB-2. The AAO dismissed, finding her proposed endeavor—working with small and medium companies—lacked national importance, as it did not demonstrate broader prospective impact on the marketing industry or U.S. economy.
0 of 3 criteria metRead → - EB-2 NIWMarketing, media, communicationsMar 2024Dismissed
Communications specialist with advanced degree sought EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to establish national importance of proposed sustainability communications endeavor; industry importance does not substitute for specific endeavor impact.
1 of 3 criteria metRead → - EB-2 NIWMarketing, media, communicationsNov 2023Dismissed
Animation specialist with advanced degree seeks NIW for EB-2. Claimed proposed animation work is of national importance. AAO held the work lacks national importance because petitioner failed to demonstrate broader implications beyond employer and its clients; the importance of the field itself is insufficient.
0 of 3 criteria metRead → - O-1AMarketing, media, communicationsMar 2023Dismissed
A heating oil company petitioned for a radio announcer and marketing manager under O-1. The petition was amended during processing from the business category to the arts category, so it is O-1B rather than O-1A. The AAO found the published-material criterion unmet, so the three-criteria threshold failed and the appeal was dismissed.
Read → - EB-2 NIWMarketing, media, communicationsMar 2023Dismissed
Marketing manager with advanced degree sought EB-2 national interest waiver. Director found advanced degree eligibility established. AAO affirmed denial, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance; no evidence of projected economic impact or job creation at national level.
0 of 3 criteria metRead → - EB-2 NIWMarketing, media, communicationsJan 2023Dismissed
A marketing professional with tourism and hotel management degree sought an EB-2 national interest waiver to start and manage her own tourism business. The AAO affirmed denial, finding her proposed endeavor lacked national importance because it would serve only specific clients without broader economic impact, and she was not well positioned to advance it.
0 of 3 criteria metRead → - EB-2 NIWMarketing, media, communicationsSep 2022Dismissed
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.
0 of 3 criteria metRead → - EB-2 NIWMarketing, media, communicationsApr 2021Dismissed
Marketing manager employed by U.S. organization seeking EB-2 national interest waiver. Claimed substantial merit for strategic marketing work. Advanced degree established but failed first Dhanasar prong: proposed work lacked national importance beyond specific employer and clients. Appeal dismissed.
0 of 3 criteria metRead → - O-1AMarketing, media, communications2014Dismissed
A marketing manager specializing in search engine optimization was proposed by a company for O-1A extraordinary ability in business. The appeal was summarily dismissed because the filing named no specific error of law or fact and the promised brief or evidence never arrived.
Read → - EB-1AMarketing, media, communications2011Dismissed
A marketing and advertising vice president sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The petitioner claimed at least three criteria but the decision analyzed only the awards criterion, finding no documented receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes. The petition was dismissed because evidence did not demonstrate extraordinary ability.
0 of 2 criteria metRead →
