Published AAO appeal decisions

Data streaming platform petitioned for beneficiary as EB-1A extraordinary ability. Service center granted five criteria but denied on final merits. AAO sustained appeal, finding evidence demonstrates beneficiary's sustained national and international acclaim, placing him among small percentage at top of field.

A research scientist with a PhD in computer science sought EB-2 NIW for AI research in multimodal machine learning. SCOPS denied NIW but approved advanced degree qualification. The AAO reversed, finding all three Dhanasar prongs met: substantial merit and national importance in AI, petitioner well-positioned, and waiver balances beneficially for the United States.

A pharmaceutical researcher with advanced degree seeking EB-2 classification and national interest waiver for nanotechnology drug delivery research targeting cancer and HIV. AAO sustained appeal, finding all three Dhanasar prongs met: endeavor advances federal priorities, petitioner well-positioned through expertise and proven success, and waiver benefits U.S. public health.

A mechanical engineer and postdoctoral researcher sought NIW for research on catalysts for fuel cells and batteries. AAO found all three Dhanasar prongs satisfied: proposed research has national importance for U.S. competitiveness, petitioner is well positioned to advance it, and waiver benefits the United States.

Biomedical engineer with advanced degree seeks EB-2 with national interest waiver to research neurodegenerative diseases. AAO sustained appeal, finding all three Dhanasar prongs met: research has substantial merit and national importance, petitioner well-positioned to advance it, and waiver would benefit United States.

Postdoctoral researcher in wireless communications and networking seeking EB-2 NIW. SCOPS denied; first appeal found substantial merit and positioning but denied waiver on balancing prong. Motion to reconsider granted after AAO recognized Ph.D. in STEM field working on critical emerging technology as strong positive factor for national benefit under revised Dhanasar analysis.

Electrical engineer and medical imaging researcher with Ph.D. in ultrasound diagnostic analysis sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. Claimed research has broad field implications. AAO sustained, finding all three Dhanasar prongs met: substantial merit and national importance demonstrated, well-positioned given Ph.D. and track record, and U.S. balance favored waiver.

Research scientist in organic chemistry employed at FDA control laboratory sought national interest waiver. AAO sustained appeal: proposed research on reducing chemical waste in wastewater treatment satisfies all three Dhanasar prongs; environmental protection aligns with national security; petitioner well-positioned with doctoral degree and record.

Technology company petitioned for embedded systems architect with advanced degree; sought NIW for EB-2. AAO sustained appeal, finding proposed endeavor in motor controls and EV charging has national importance, beneficiary well-positioned to advance it, and waiver benefits the US based on track record and critical STEM contributions.

Technology company petitions for vice president managing national streaming service. AAO sustained appeal finding all three Dhanasar prongs met: endeavor has national importance affecting millions nationally, beneficiary is well-positioned with decade-long track record, and waiver benefits United States.

A researcher in cancer therapeutics using biotechnology tools sought EB-2 national interest waiver. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding the proposed research demonstrated substantial merit and national importance, the petitioner was well positioned to advance it, and on balance waiving the job offer would benefit the United States.

Vascular researcher with Ph.D. in medical cell biology seeking EB-2 NIW. Proposed advancing critical bioinformatics and biomechanical research. AAO sustained, finding all three Dhanasar prongs met: endeavor has national importance, petitioner well positioned to advance it, and waiver would benefit US.

Research foundation sought EB-2 NIW for beneficiary to conduct epidemiological research on mental health in Puerto Rican youth as part of NIH ECHO program. AAO sustained appeal, finding the research has national importance, beneficiary is well-positioned with relevant expertise, and waiving labor certification benefits U.S. scientific interests.

Veterinary researcher with PhD sought NIW for EB-2 to continue infectious disease and antibiotic-resistance research. AAO sustained appeal, finding all three Dhanasar prongs met: proposed endeavor of substantial merit and national importance, petitioner well positioned to advance it, and waiver beneficial to United States.

A quantum optics researcher with PhD in physics seeks NIW for advanced STEM research. AAO sustained approval because the research has substantial merit and national importance per federal science policy, the petitioner is well positioned by education and track record, and the national interest in quantum research outweighs labor market protection.

Physician-researcher in urologic oncology with advanced degree seeks EB-2 national interest waiver. Claimed three Dhanasar prongs: substantial merit of clinical and research endeavor, personal positioning to advance it, and balance favoring waiver. AAO sustained appeal, finding all three prongs met based on clinical care contributions, research trajectory, and public health significance.

Biocompatibility material scientist with Ph.D. seeking EB-2 classification and national interest waiver. Petitioner demonstrated all three Dhanasar prongs: proposed wound care research has national importance, petitioner is well-positioned with advanced degrees and expertise, and waiver benefits U.S. interests. Appeal sustained.

Electrical engineering researcher employed in semiconductor development sought NIW for EB-2 classification. Petitioner claimed three Dhanasar prongs. AAO sustained appeal, finding proposed next-generation semiconductor research has national importance, petitioner is well-positioned to advance it, and waiver benefits U.S. interests.

Researcher in life sciences with doctoral degree from Chile sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO found three criteria met: scholarly articles, original contributions, and judging. Final merits determination confirmed sustained national acclaim and revolutionary research impact on medical practice, warranting extraordinary ability classification.

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.

A sports club petitioned for its coach, a former Olympic-level competitor, claiming extraordinary ability. The director accepted four criteria but denied on final merits regarding coaching recognition. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding the beneficiary reached the top as an athlete and sustained that acclaim as a coach.

Art museum as employer-sponsor for curator beneficiary seeking extraordinary ability classification. Met judging, published material, and leading critical role criteria. Final merits determination sustained: beneficiary demonstrated sustained acclaim and recognition at top of field. Appeal sustained.

Company president and scientific instrumentation developer demonstrated extraordinary ability through peer review work, scholarly articles, leading roles with distinguished company, and original marine geology contributions. AAO sustained appeal finding sustained acclaim at very top of field.

University sponsored assistant professor in agricultural soil science for national interest waiver. AAO sustained appeal, finding proposed research on greenhouse gas emissions and soil fertility meets all Dhanasar prongs and merits waiver.

A radiology and radiological science researcher sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding she met four initial criteria and demonstrated sustained national and international acclaim through published work, high citations, innovative contributions to cancer research, and field recognition consistent with being among the very top.