Published AAO appeal decisions

Audio engineer in Turkish film and television post-production with over ten years experience. Met four of eight claimed initial criteria. Final merits analysis found work within company recognized but lacked evidence of national or international attention or positioning among field's small elite percentage.

A business management specialist sought EB-1A classification for extraordinary ability. The AAO confirmed she met published material and judging criteria but rejected her high salary claim due to inadequate comparative wage data. With only two criteria met, she failed the three-criterion threshold and appeal was dismissed.

An automotive technician sought exceptional ability classification with a national interest waiver and filed a seventh combined motion after earlier dismissals. He submitted a revised business plan and argued the Dhanasar prongs. The AAO dismissed it because the motion did not address any error in the latest decision and attacked only the original denial.

Chief urban planner with advanced degree seeks EB-2 national interest waiver for mixed-use real estate and housing policy work. AAO withdrew SCOPS denial and remanded because SCOPS provided insufficient reasoned analysis of evidence supporting all three Dhanasar prongs.

Production engineer and entrepreneur sought EB-2 NIW for consultancy business. AAO found petitioner qualified as advanced degree professional but rejected endeavor's national importance. Consultancy services lacked sufficient prospective impact on industry or economy; job creation projections insufficiently detailed. Appeal dismissed.

A cloud technology expert sought extraordinary ability classification. After two prior denials and reopenings by the service center, a third denial was issued without affording the petitioner thirty days to submit a brief as required by regulation. The AAO remanded to cure the procedural defect.

A mortgage industry innovator and financial strategist sought EB-1A classification. The AAO found she satisfied only two of ten criteria and rejected her awards claim due to self-nomination and limited field recognition. The AAO dismissed her appeal, concluding she failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Business development executive and entrepreneur in technology-driven fitness and wellness ventures claims extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed five criteria; Service Center found two met. AAO found three criteria met on de novo review, satisfying initial evidence requirement. Decision remanded for final merits determination on sustained acclaim and top-tier status.

A franchise owner in solar and EV charging installation sought EB-2 national interest waiver. Underlying advanced degree qualification was established, but the Dhanasar framework analysis failed at the first prong. The AAO found his specific endeavor lacked national importance despite the importance of the solar and EV sectors generally; benefits were localized to small subsets. Appeal dismissed.

A research scientist in machine learning and generative AI claimed six criteria. The service center accepted four of them, then denied the petition at the final merits stage. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the fellowship award and limited media coverage did not show sustained acclaim or top-of-field standing.

Manufacturing optimization consultant with Brazilian bachelor's degree in industrial engineering claiming five years progressive experience equivalent to master's degree. SCOPS denied without adequately addressing employment letters. AAO remanded for proper analysis of whether petitioner established advanced degree equivalent and, if so, NIW merits.

A karate athlete appealing a denial for extraordinary ability classification satisfied three initial evidentiary criteria: awards, published materials, and leading role. The AAO remanded for a final merits determination examining whether the evidence demonstrates sustained national or international acclaim and places him among the very top of the field.

Project manager and entrepreneur in aviation technology sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner failed to establish three of ten regulatory criteria, withdrawing service center's finding on judging and rejecting original contributions and leading role claims.

An entrepreneur in STEM education filed a motion to reconsider an NIW denial for an EB-2 national interest waiver for a coding academy. The AAO affirmed the prior decision that the petitioner failed the first Dhanasar prong: the proposed academy lacked independent corroboration of national importance and would not impact the field beyond local scope.

Vice president and information lead architect in financial services seeks EB-1A classification for extraordinary ability in data compliance, governance, and risk management. AAO affirmed denial, finding petitioner met minimum evidentiary criteria but failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier status in the field.

Computer systems analyst claims extraordinary ability in sciences. Met at least three initial evidentiary criteria including leading role, membership, and salary. AAO found evidence lacks sustained acclaim over long period and achievements not recognized in field through extensive documentation. Appeal dismissed.

A business manager filed for EB-2 exceptional ability with national interest waiver. She satisfied three evidentiary criteria initially but failed final merits determination, lacking expertise significantly above ordinary in the field. AAO found no exceptional ability and thus ineligible for EB-2 or NIW, dismissing appeal.

Business executive with advanced degree sought NIW for technology-focused business endeavor. AAO affirmed dismissal, finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance because business plan was vague on location and operations, lacked substantiated financial projections, and provided only generalized industry information rather than specific endeavor impact.

Architectural designer seeking NIW for patented panelized housing system business claiming national importance addressing housing shortage and sustainability. AAO found substantial merit but not national importance, as evidence did not establish prospective national-level impact beyond company operations or how work would significantly impact depressed areas.

A financial consultant sought extraordinary ability classification. The service center found two criteria met, and on appeal she claimed three more. The AAO withdrew the published material finding and found only one criterion met, so the three-criterion threshold failed and the final merits were not reached.

A materials scientist with expertise in polymer science and sustainable materials met three initial criteria but failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier status. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the totality of evidence insufficient for extraordinary ability.

Special effects artist and animator in motion design and AI-driven visual communication sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed seven criteria; AAO found three met (published material, judging, scholarly articles), withdrew SCOPS denials, and remanded for final merits analysis of sustained acclaim and top-tier status.

A management analyst appealed his EB-1A denial. He met only one criterion: judging. The AAO found he did not establish membership in qualifying associations, high comparative salary, or a leading role in distinguished organizations. Because he failed to meet the required three criteria at the initial evidence stage, the petition was dismissed without reaching the final merits analysis.

Research and development manager in personal care industry sought EB-1A. Met leading or critical role criterion but failed membership, original contributions, and scholarly articles criteria. AAO declined final merits analysis due to insufficient threshold evidence.