Published AAO appeal decisions

Trade finance and operations management entrepreneur filed for EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner failed to show his proposed consulting company would have prospective impact rising to national importance; establishing an SME consulting service in HUBZone areas, without demonstrated substantial economic benefits, does not meet Dhanasar prong one.

An accountant with a Brazilian accounting degree sought EB-2 national interest waiver. The AAO found he did not hold a U.S.-equivalent advanced degree and his proposed accounting endeavor lacked national importance, affecting only individual employers without field-wide impact.

A dental assistant sought EB-2 NIW to establish a cooperative offering training programs and employment placement for dental assistants. The AAO affirmed dismissal because the proposed endeavor lacked national importance: the training was readily available in the U.S. with no broader industry implications, and projected economic impact was client-specific only.

A nutritional supplement entrepreneur sought EB-2 with NIW. The AAO found he lacked five years of progressive post-degree experience required for advanced degree equivalency. On NIW merits, his proposed business showed substantial merit but not national importance; job creation of seven positions lacked adequate explanation of substantial positive economic effects.

A nutritionist with advanced degree sought NIW for self-employment in school cafeteria consulting and nutritional training. AAO dismissed because the proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance; general industry importance and educational benefits insufficient under Dhanasar.

Legal consultant sought EB-2 classification with NIW for legal consulting work. AAO affirmed Director's finding that while the endeavor has substantial merit, it lacks national importance because record showed no projected economic impact or job creation sufficient to demonstrate substantial effects benefiting U.S. economy.

A project manager sought EB-2 NIW to start a management consulting company. Although meeting underlying EB-2 eligibility, the AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed the first Dhanasar prong: consulting services to individual clients lacked evidence of broader industry impact or national importance.

Materials engineer sought NIW for fuel cell research work. AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed laboratory activities lacked national importance despite work in a critical STEM field. Specific endeavor did not demonstrate broader implications or potential for significant employment or economic effects beyond employer.

A nurse sought EB-2 classification and a national interest waiver as a nurse educator and researcher. The AAO affirmed denial because the proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance; field shortages and general assertions insufficient without specific impact evidence.

A business consultant seeking EB-2 with NIW, proposing to open a consulting company assisting Latin American women entrepreneurs with sustainable businesses. The AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed endeavor showed substantial merit but lacked national importance; serving individual clients insufficient for broader field impact.

A strategic business consultant self-petitioned for EB-2 NIW, claiming his consulting services to SMEs would boost market valuation and revenues. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance: he provided no concrete plan, economic projections, or evidence of prospective broad impact beyond serving individual clients.

Advanced degree professional in asset integrity and maintenance engineering proposed endeavor advancing energy, environmental, and disease prevention sectors. AAO dismissed appeal for failure to establish national importance and also found willful misrepresentation through fabricated emails in prior petitions.

Historian with advanced degree sought EB-2 national interest waiver for expert witness services and market analysis. AAO affirmed denial, finding proposed endeavor lacks demonstrated national importance: no evidence of broader impact, economic effects, or industry innovations required by Dhanasar first prong.

A project manager seeking self-petitioned EB-2 NIW to operate his own rail maintenance procurement business claimed national importance. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to identify a specific proposed endeavor with sufficient detail regarding contracts, future plans, or business model to establish national importance.

A business manager and consultant with an advanced degree sought EB-2 NIW to establish a consulting company in financial education and business administration. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance, lacking evidence that the proposed endeavor would impact the fields more broadly beyond serving individual clients.

Individual with advanced degree sought NIW to advance international development work focused on Honduras-U.S. immigration nexus. AAO dismissed because proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance; creating 16 U.S. positions and stated impact on immigration system insufficient to meet Dhanasar first prong.

A lawyer sought NIW for employment as a law consultant advising corporations on Latin American business expansion. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding no national importance despite interest from specific companies; the endeavor lacked broader field implications or significant employment potential.

Nutritionist sought NIW to start nutrition counseling company in Florida. AAO dismissed because petitioner lacked qualifying advanced degree and failed to establish national importance; serving individual clients in a STEM profession lacks sufficiently broad implications for the field.

Physical fitness instructor sought EB-2 with NIW. AAO affirmed denial, finding evidence did not show proposed endeavor had national importance beyond the employer. Generic articles on fitness importance and expert opinions regarding position advancement did not establish national-level impact.

An IT manager and engineer sought EB-2 national interest waiver. The AAO agreed the petitioner held an advanced degree but found his proposed endeavor of providing IT services in Florida lacked national importance; it was regional, specific, and without broader implications.

Marketing and communications specialist with equivalent bachelor's degree and five years experience seeks national interest waiver. First prong failed: petitioner confused industry importance with specific endeavor importance. Work lacks broader field impact or substantial economic effects needed for national importance standard.

Self-petitioner entrepreneur sought EB-2 NIW to open grocery store chain. AAO held proposed endeavor lacked national importance under Dhanasar; employment and revenue projections did not demonstrate substantial economic effects at regional or national level.

An agribusiness consultant with exceptional ability sought NIW. The AAO confirmed exceptional ability eligibility through three criteria but dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed consulting business providing research and marketing services lacked national importance; sustainability and food security claims were unsupported by documentation showing prospective field-wide or broad economic impact.

A welder seeks NIW claiming exceptional ability. Claimed the Dhanasar framework. The AAO held the first prong—national importance—not met: working as a skilled welder for one company lacks broader field implications or substantial economic impact commensurate with national importance.

Dental care entrepreneur seeking NIW to establish dental practice. Claimed national importance based on dental professional shortage and environmental benefits of practice. AAO affirmed denial, finding that serving individual patients lacks national importance; professional shortage alone insufficient under Dhanasar framework.