Published AAO appeal decisions

Financial services and accounting professional sought EB-2 with national interest waiver to open consulting firm assisting U.S. companies with financial decisions and Latin American expansion. AAO affirmed denial, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance; business growth projections and client services insufficient to establish substantial positive economic effects.

Self-petitioner, financial management and tax consultant seeking NIW for entrepreneurial consultancy firm. AAO dismissed appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance despite substantial merit; impact limited to niche market without broader field implications or significant economic effects.

A real estate investment consultant sought EB-2 NIW to create a platform linking U.S. real estate to Latin American investors. The AAO dismissed because the proposed endeavor lacked national importance: evidence addressed industry significance generally, not the specific endeavor's prospective impact, and no substantial positive economic effects were demonstrated.

Entrepreneur and financial manager with advanced degree sought NIW for EB-2 to provide business formation training and financial advice to entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs. AAO dismissed because evidence lacked probative value and did not demonstrate national importance beyond serving specific clientele.

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.

Mergers and acquisitions professional in oil and gas industry seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver. Claimed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance through energy sector criticality and applicant expertise. AAO found no sufficient evidence of specific endeavor's prospective impact beyond employer.

IT accountant seeks EB-2 with NIW for work in tax automation and cloud computing. AAO held that while the field is important, his specific proposed endeavor lacks national importance because it affects only his employers and does not benefit the field broadly.

A financial analyst sought EB-2 classification as an advanced-degree professional plus a national interest waiver. The AAO found him eligible for EB-2 but determined his proposed endeavor lacked national importance; appeal dismissed without reaching waiver discretion.

An entrepreneur with advanced degree seeks EB-2 NIW to establish financial consulting firm projecting 25 employees and $5.8 million revenue. AAO held the proposed endeavor lacks demonstrated national importance because job creation and revenue projections are insufficient to show substantial economic benefit, and petitioner failed to show specific endeavor impacts field broadly.

A legal tax consultant sought EB-2 NIW for establishing a consulting company to serve small and medium-sized businesses. The AAO found substantial merit but concluded the petitioner failed to demonstrate the specific endeavor would have national importance or broader industry impact beyond his clients.

Pharmaceutical and healthcare consultant sought EB-2 with national interest waiver to provide professional advice through independent consultancy. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance; insufficient evidence of broader field implications or substantial positive economic effects beyond individual clients.

Economic development professional with master's degree sought EB-2 NIW. Proposed endeavor: developing international expansion strategies for SMEs in Latin American trade. AAO upheld denial, finding substantial merit but no national importance; evidence about field importance did not establish prospective impact of specific endeavor on SMEs, trade volume, or economy.

An entrepreneur with advanced degree sought NIW for self-employment operating accounting and financial consulting firm. AAO dismissed because proposed endeavor lacked national importance; business plan and job creation projections did not demonstrate regional or national impact.

Financial manager sought EB-2 with national interest waiver for proposed financial consultancy services company. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance; insufficient detail on business plans or how services would achieve scale necessary for substantial positive economic effects.

Financial manager sought EB-2 with national interest waiver to provide administrative and financial advice to small and medium businesses affected by COVID-19. AAO dismissed, finding the endeavor lacks national importance and petitioner was not well positioned to advance it.

Financial manager sought EB-2 NIW. Proposed business: providing financial auditing and management services to small enterprises to combat corruption and improve operations. AAO found substantial merit but no national importance; business benefits limited to individual clients without broader industry or societal implications demonstrated.

A financial manager sought EB-2 classification with NIW for a business providing financial management services to small and medium enterprises. The AAO dismissed, finding the endeavor lacked both national importance and demonstrated positioning, as benefits were limited to direct clients without national implications.

Accountant seeks national interest waiver for financial consulting business serving small and medium enterprises. AAO held the endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance as it does not demonstrate significant potential for broad economic or employment effects, so waiver denied.

Insurance consultant with advanced degree sought national interest waiver for EB-2 petition. AAO reversed Director's finding on substantial merit but upheld denial on national importance, finding no evidence the consulting business would substantially impact U.S. economy or employment.

A financial manager sought NIW for EB-2 as advanced degree holder or individual of exceptional ability. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner lacked advanced degree and failed to meet exceptional ability criteria; NIW analysis reserved.

An entrepreneur and fiscal analyst sought NIW with exceptional ability classification. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to meet three of six exceptional ability criteria; underlying EB-2 classification not established, making NIW analysis unnecessary.

Personal finance and entrepreneurship consultant with advanced degree sought national interest waiver for EB-2 classification. AAO found substantial merit for proposed endeavor but dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to establish national importance; specific consulting services lacked broader field impact or sufficient economic effects beyond direct clients.

Personal financial adviser seeking NIW claimed his endeavor of advising clients on finances has national importance. AAO held the endeavor lacks national importance because benefits are limited to individual clients and do not extend to broader field or economy.

Financial analyst seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner met one of ten evidentiary criteria but failed to demonstrate intent to continue work in the United States. AAO affirmed denial based on unchallenged intent requirement and found petitioner submitted willfully altered translations of evidence.

Entrepreneur and financial markets professional sought NIW under EB-2 advanced degree as chief economist for digital currency exchange. AAO dismissed, finding the endeavor has substantial merit but fails the national importance element of Dhanasar's first prong, reserving analysis of remaining prongs.