Published AAO appeal decisions

Fencing club petitions for fencing master's O-1A extraordinary ability. AAO found only one of eight criteria met. Awards criterion failed because evidence showed students' achievements, not beneficiary's own. Judging criterion failed due to uncorroborated self-serving assertions. Appeal dismissed.

Soccer coach for academy seeks EB-2 with NIW. AAO found substantial merit but not national importance; work benefits specific employer and clients but lacks broader implications or substantial economic effects at regional or national level. Petitioner waived appeal on remaining prongs.

An airline pilot sought NIW for EB-2 to work as a pilot and flight instructor. The AAO affirmed dismissal because the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; the petitioner conflated the general importance of the aviation industry with a specific, nationally significant undertaking and did not explain how his work would positively impact the economy on a broad scale.

An airline pilot seeking EB-2 classification and national interest waiver. Claimed endeavor in pilot training and mentoring had national importance. AAO held proposed work as pilot and instructor lacks sufficient prospective impact on aviation field broadly to satisfy Dhanasar's first prong; industry importance and worker shortage alone insufficient.