Published AAO appeal decisions

An economist sought EB-1A classification for extraordinary ability. The AAO found he met three evidentiary criteria: association membership, published material, and judging. However, on final merits determination, the record lacked evidence of published scholarly articles, government implementation of research, or sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability. Appeal dismissed.

Financial advisor and entrepreneur seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver proposes to grow small and medium-sized enterprises and improve tax systems. AAO held she lacked advanced degree eligibility; also did not establish national importance of the specific endeavor, as projections were uncorroborated and methods lacked demonstrated innovation or broader field implications.

Financial manager with eight years finance and four years management experience in Kazakhstan sought extraordinary ability classification claiming seven criteria. AAO found only judging criterion met (from SCOPS). Rejected awards, membership, original contributions, scholarly articles, and exhibitions. Appeal dismissed due to insufficient criteria satisfaction.

An advanced degree professional proposes to own and operate an LLC providing corporate financial management services to businesses. The AAO dismissed because the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; it would impact only the LLC's clients, not the field broadly, and the petitioner did not establish broader implications beyond her business.

Tax auditor seeking NIW for EB-2 exceptional ability classification claimed multiple criteria. AAO dismissed, finding petitioner met only academic record and experience criteria but failed to satisfy exceptional ability threshold; waiver analysis not reached due to underlying ineligibility.

An accountant with an advanced degree sought EB-2 NIW for his accounting firm business. The AAO found the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; his business plan projections and claims of alignment with government economic initiatives did not show impact beyond his individual clients at a level constituting national importance.

An insurance company executive sought EB-2 national interest waiver for a proposed life insurance company. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the applicant failed to establish national importance of the specific endeavor, and declined to reach the remaining Dhanasar prongs.

Co-founder and CEO of financial technology company claiming extraordinary ability through lesser awards, memberships, published materials, and leadership role. AAO found awards criterion not met because award belonged to employer; membership criterion not met because petitioner failed to demonstrate it applies; and overall record lacks evidence of sustained acclaim among the very top of the field.

Financial analyst seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed at least three of ten criteria. AAO found no major international award and rejected high salary criterion on improper comparison basis, leaving petitioner below three-criterion threshold. Reserved remaining criteria. Dismissed appeal.

An accountant sought EB-2 NIW. A second motion to reopen and reconsider was dismissed. New evidence established she met the EB-2 advanced degree requirement, overcoming one ground, but she failed to present new facts establishing NIW eligibility under Dhanasar.

Financial analyst, accountant and auditor with advanced degree sought EB-2 national interest waiver. The AAO dismissed the appeal because her proposed financial services endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance under Dhanasar framework, showing no substantial economic impact or national implications.

Finance executive with advanced degree sought national interest waiver as EB-2. Petitioner claimed substantial merit and national importance for proposed finance role. AAO dismissed motion, finding petitioner reargued prior issues without new evidence or legal error and did not meet first prong.

Accountant and financial audit expert with advanced degree sought national interest waiver but failed first Dhanasar prong; submitted articles on accounting field and support letters praising past work, but none established national importance of her specific proposed financial analysis and reporting endeavor.

Financial analyst sought EB-2 NIW classification. AAO dismissed fourth motion to reopen and reconsider, finding petitioner failed to establish exceptional ability qualification underlying the NIW petition and did not demonstrate prior decision was legally erroneous.

Financial planner and analyst sought NIW with advanced degree. Proposed company providing financial planning to small and medium-sized businesses. AAO found endeavor substantially meritorious but lacking national importance; benefits confined to direct clients without broader field or economic implications required by Dhanasar. Second and third prongs reserved.

An accountant seeking advanced degree classification proposes to provide financial consulting targeting startups in regulatory compliance and tax planning. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to establish national importance through specific evidence of substantial economic effects, regional or national job creation impact, or broader field influence.

Financial advisor and consultant claiming extraordinary ability. Met three EB-1A criteria per Director, but AAO withdrew two determinations and affirmed denial on final merits analysis. Totality of evidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Investment banker self-petitioner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO affirmed Service Center denial, finding petitioner failed to establish three required criteria: association membership, leading role, and published material were unsupported or waived on appeal.

A chief financial officer and corporate treasurer sought EB-2 national interest waiver for a financial services consulting business targeting immigrant clients. The AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance as it would serve only specific clients without broader industry impact or substantial economic effects in depressed areas.

A tax professional with a bachelor's degree and five years experience sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver for an international trade compliance company. The AAO dismissed, finding the company lacks national importance: employing up to 120 workers or specific profits do not demonstrate substantial economic effects in a 52 billion dollar industry.

Entrepreneur seeking EB-2 with self-petitioner NIW for financial literacy and lending mobile app platform. Claimed endeavor promotes financial inclusion and employs U.S. workers. AAO held endeavor lacks national importance; projected benefits insufficiently corroborated; impact limited to app users; working in important field insufficient without broader implications.

Financial manager with advanced degree seeks NIW for EB-2 classification. Claimed endeavor has national importance through job creation and economic impact. AAO held that 50-job potential is insignificant relative to 206,000 industry jobs and lacks broader field impact required for national importance.

A chief financial officer seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification claimed five criteria. The AAO found she satisfied only the leading critical role criterion but failed to meet membership, published material, and high salary criteria. Without three criteria met, final merits determination was not reached. Appeal dismissed.

A financial advisor with established company in Brazil sought national interest waiver for EB-2 as individual of exceptional ability. AAO withdrew Director's denial of exceptional ability but found proposed endeavor lacked national importance; business serving personal client base does not demonstrate broader economic or field impact.

Financial manager seeking EB-2 with NIW claimed endeavor has national importance through financial literacy services to small businesses. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance because it lacks broader field implications and benefits only direct clients, not society broadly.