Published AAO appeal decisions

General and operations manager seeking EB-2 advanced degree with national interest waiver. Claimed management endeavor would have national importance and that he was well positioned to advance it. AAO found material changes to proposed endeavor between filing and RFE response; initial employment no longer viable; endeavor lacked demonstration of broader implications or substantial economic effects.

A computer systems engineer and entrepreneur seeks NIW for EB-2 classification for IT consulting to small businesses. The AAO affirmed the director's finding that the proposed endeavor lacks national importance, as job creation and tax revenue benefits alone do not meet Dhanasar's requirement for prospective impact at the national level.

A dietician proposed a nutritional services and supplement business to address obesity. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance because its benefits would extend only to individual clients in a localized area, not broadly impact the field or economy.

An instructional coordinator with a master's in TESOL proposed implementing virtual reality technology in schools. The AAO dismissed, finding substantial merit but no national importance; expansion to multiple schools does not equate to national or global implications required.

An entrepreneur in foreign trade and logistics claimed exceptional ability through ten years of experience and professional memberships. The AAO dismissed, finding the petitioner met only the experience criterion and did not establish at least three required criteria.

An aircraft maintenance technician self-petitioned for EB-2 exceptional ability classification and a national interest waiver. The appeal was dismissed after the AAO withdrew the earlier finding on the ten-year experience criterion, leaving fewer than the three required criteria. The final merits and waiver questions were therefore not decided.

An entrepreneur seeking EB-2 with NIW for an environmentally friendly cleaning products company in Florida claimed nineteen years of experience and unique expertise. The AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; it would not impact the industry broadly or substantially employ U.S. workers.

Commercial captain sought NIW under EB-2 as advanced degree professional. Claimed endeavor had substantial merit and national importance addressing pilot shortage. AAO found record did not establish national importance of specific proposed work as individual pilot, lacking evidence of broader industry impact or individual contribution to resolving shortage.

An English teacher and administrator seeking EB-2 with NIW claimed five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience. The AAO affirmed denial because employment letters lacked specific employment dates, hours worked, and detailed duties, failing to establish the required years of experience.

Nurse with advanced degree sought EB-2 classification and national interest waiver. AAO dismissed appeal, finding that while nursing is substantially meritorious, petitioner failed to demonstrate her proposed endeavor has national importance because employment impact would not extend beyond her employer and patients to affect the field broadly.

Entrepreneur importing and distributing textiles sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. AAO affirmed denial because proposed endeavor lacked national importance under Dhanasar framework; endeavor was too general and offered no evidence of broader field impact or substantial economic benefits.

Occupational health and safety entrepreneur with Dominican Republic MD seeking EB-2 NIW. AAO held proposed endeavor lacked national importance; general industry articles and business growth potential insufficient to show benefits beyond company to economy or broader field.

Dentist seeking NIW for EB-2 exceptional ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to establish EB-2 qualification; satisfied only one of six required regulatory criteria for exceptional ability and waived appeal on remaining criteria issues.

Industrial engineering expert with advanced degree seeking NIW for EB-2 classification; AAO reversed denial of EB-2 qualification but dismissed NIW appeal. Petitioner failed to demonstrate proposed business engineering endeavor has substantial merit or national importance; vague business plan lacks specific evidence of broader field impact or economic benefits.

Management consultant with advanced degree in business administration seeks EB-2 national interest waiver. Claimed waiver based on business consulting services providing national economic benefits. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacks sufficient national importance despite industry demand; general industry articles do not establish specific endeavor impact.

Lawyer from Kazakhstan sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. AAO affirmed denial because endeavor lacked national importance. Russian language skills and geopolitical concerns unpersuasive; proposed immigration paralegal work limited to local scope without broader regional or national impact.

Commercial lawyer with advanced degree sought NIW for EB-2. Claimed endeavor in commercial law with cross-border initiatives had substantial merit and national importance. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to clearly define her specific proposed endeavor and provided insufficient evidence of national importance or prospective economic impact.

Medical services provider with advanced degree sought NIW for EB-2 to provide CBD therapeutic education consulting. AAO held the proposed endeavor lacked national importance because it contained only generalized descriptions without sufficient documentation demonstrating specific prospective impact on healthcare or the broader economy.

Social worker with advanced degree sought NIW for EB-2. She claimed her endeavor in behavioral and emotional support for youth had national importance. AAO held the endeavor lacked national importance because it would serve only specific families without broader impact on pedagogy or social work fields.

Petroleum engineer sought NIW for EB-2. He proposed employment in oil and gas engineering services, claiming national importance based on industry growth. AAO held his specific endeavor lacked national importance because it demonstrated no substantial economic impact or job creation benefit beyond prospective employers.

Athletic trainer seeking EB-2 with NIW for physical rehabilitation services. AAO held petitioner qualified for advanced degree classification but proposed endeavor lacks national importance; specific services limited to individual clients without broader economic or field-wide impact. Appeal dismissed.

Software quality assurance engineer seeking EB-2 with NIW. AAO held proposed IT endeavor lacks national importance; merely working in STEM field without demonstrating specific technology advancement or broader impact insufficient. Appeal dismissed.

A cybersecurity professional sought EB-2 advanced degree classification with NIW for operating his own CISO consulting business. The AAO found the endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance, as it would benefit only specific clients without broader economic or industry impact.

An international legal consultant sought EB-2 advanced degree classification with NIW. The AAO agreed petitioner qualified as advanced degree professional but found the consulting endeavor lacked national importance, having only local/regional impact without broader field implications.

Self-employed financial specialist seeks NIW for EB-2. Petitioner claimed work in financial services has national importance and proposed training managers. AAO dismissed appeal, finding no evidence the specific endeavor has national or global implications, broader implications, or substantial positive economic effects beyond direct clients.