Published AAO appeal decisions

Business intelligence professional seeking EB-2 with NIW for establishing a company. Petitioner claimed endeavor addresses industry worker shortage with substantial economic impact. AAO held national importance not established; isolated business activities lack broader field implications or substantial economic effects required by Dhanasar.

A co-owner and general manager of a moving and storage business sought EB-2 national interest waiver as individual of exceptional ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding insufficient eligibility criteria for exceptional ability and lack of national importance for the business endeavor.

Commercial administrator with logistics focus seeks NIW for EB-2 exceptional ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal, adopting director's finding that proposed logistics and supply chain management endeavor, while having substantial merit, lacks national importance; benefits limited to future clients rather than broader industry impact.

Legal and business advisor sought NIW as EB-2 to provide technical and mechanical support to disaster-affected communities and businesses. Petitioner claimed national importance based on reconstruction efforts and economic growth. AAO rejected national importance because claimed impact lacks substantiation and does not demonstrate broader industry or substantial economy-wide effects.

A business consultant seeking NIW claimed her financial and business management consulting endeavor would have national importance through job creation and economic benefits. AAO affirmed denial because the specific endeavor lacked sufficient prospective impact on the field or economy to constitute national importance under Dhanasar.

Aviation supply chain director sought EB-2 national interest waiver to create outsourced supply chain service company. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance; petitioner's expertise and industry knowledge addressed second prong, not first prong's requirement for specific endeavor impact.

Petitioner with business plan seeking EB-2 with NIW for startup company projecting job creation and employee growth. AAO affirmed denial, finding business plan and employment projections insufficient to establish national importance or demonstrate impact beyond the company itself.

A Portuguese language instructor seeks NIW for a translation and language teaching business in Florida. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding substantial merit but no national importance because the proposed endeavor lacks broader field implications and significant prospective economic impact beyond regional clients.

Marketing consultant entrepreneur sought EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO affirmed dismissal, finding her proposed marketing consulting services lacked national importance under Dhanasar's first prong; the endeavor's benefits would not extend beyond her company and clientele to impact the field or economy broadly.

A financial officer holding an advanced degree sought EB-2 with NIW, proposing to serve as CFO of supply chain consulting company. The AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; projected economic benefits and individual company engagement insufficient to meet national importance standard.

Entrepreneur in business and corporate law sought EB-2 NIW. Appeal dismissed on signature deficiency and failure to establish national importance; petitioner focused broadly on energy investment industry rather than specific endeavor, without proving impact beyond secondary effects in narrow area.

Franchise and business management consultant sought NIW to work as entrepreneur providing consulting services. AAO held petition failed because proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance; generalized economic benefits and small business support insufficient without evidence of broader field impact or substantial economic effects.

Health auditor and entrepreneur with advanced degrees in education, business, and health administration seeks NIW for EB-2. Proposed consulting firm improving workplace health environments. AAO held proposed endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance; merely working in important field is insufficient without demonstrating specific endeavor's broader impact.

A beverage bottling industry business developer sought EB-2 classification with NIW. The AAO dismissed, finding the proposed quality consulting endeavor lacked national importance, as it was limited to client work in manufacturing efficiency without demonstrated broader implications for the bottling industry.

Advanced degree professional proposed to serve as master consultant in human management and corporate wellness, particularly for healthcare workers. AAO found the endeavor has substantial merit but lacks evidence of national importance, failing the first prong of the Dhanasar test for NIW eligibility.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Entrepreneur seeking EB-2 classification and NIW for specialized logistics services in road transport. Petitioner claimed STEM field designation and endeavor supports American business management and planning. AAO held supply chain logistics important generally, but petitioner failed to demonstrate specific endeavor's potential to impact field at national importance level.

A business development specialist sought a national interest waiver for self-employment in business development consulting. The AAO affirmed dismissal, finding substantial merit in the field but no national importance because evidence lacked a detailed business plan and failed to demonstrate substantial economic effects at a national level.

Business development specialist proposes consulting services to U.S. companies in unspecified sectors emphasizing economic stimulation. Claimed national importance from field contributions and economic growth potential. AAO affirmed denial: professional plan lacks business projections, scope details, or evidence that local economic stimulation reaches substantial national-level impact threshold.