Published AAO appeal decisions

Tourism industry consultant sought EB-2 with NIW. AAO held petitioner established EB-2 eligibility as advanced degree professional with substantial merit for proposed endeavor but failed to show national importance; consulting services lack broader implications beyond specific clients.

An entrepreneur seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver for a consulting firm providing channel management and sales force effectiveness services. AAO affirmed dismissal because petitioner failed to establish national importance despite having substantial merit; claimed job creation and economic benefits were not adequately documented as substantially exceeding typical small business operations.

A petitioner proposes to provide consulting and marketing services to automotive companies to improve profitability and processes. AAO held the proposed endeavor lacks national importance because submitted articles address industry importance, not the specific endeavor's national or global impact, and petitioner failed to demonstrate benefits rising to national significance.

Entrepreneur with supervisory and management experience sought NIW for exceptional ability classification. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to meet the three exceptional ability criteria and, on final merits, did not demonstrate expertise significantly above peers. National importance of proposed endeavor was also unestablished.

A business manager sought NIW for pharmaceutical distribution work. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance; it showed no broader implications in business management or pharmaceutical distribution beyond serving specific clients.

Construction operations manager sought EB-2 national interest waiver for project management business. AAO dismissed, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance; petitioner's construction experience and business plan projecting eight new jobs insufficient to show impact beyond company and clients or substantial economic effects.

General operations manager sought NIW to own and operate virtual specialty food distribution market. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner failed to establish national importance; proposed endeavor lacked evidence of broader impact on industry, business formation, or substantial economic effects beyond her company.

Entrepreneur sought EB-2 national interest waiver for refrigeration equipment sales and service business. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance: generalized industry information irrelevant; employment of eighteen workers and local benefits insufficient to demonstrate broader implications or substantial national economic effects.

Human resources manager sought EB-2 with NIW to own and operate HR consulting firm as CEO. AAO affirmed denial, finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance; credentials and business projections do not demonstrate impact beyond prospective clients and company.

An area manager/operational director seeks EB-2 NIW for work in hotel industry expansion in Texas, citing 80% sector growth and federal hospitality initiatives. AAO held the proposed endeavor lacks national importance because petitioner failed to show specific endeavor provides substantial economic benefits and broader implications beyond individual business expansion.

A business manager with advanced degree seeks NIW for EB-2 classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding substantial merit in her proposed business consulting endeavor but no national importance because typical business management duties lack broader implications and she provided only generalizations about economic effects.

Professional with advanced degree sought NIW for EB-2 classification to provide environmental and occupational health advisory services without job offer. AAO dismissed appeal because proposed endeavor lacked national importance; petitioner made unsupported claims of alignment with government priorities without evidence of field-wide impact or substantial economic benefits.

A sales director seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver claimed ability to direct organizational sales teams and develop training programs. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacks national importance as it would only affect individual partner companies without demonstrating substantial positive economic effects or broader field impact.

A human resources and business development manager self-petitioner sought EB-2 national interest waiver for renewable energy work. The AAO dismissed the appeal: while conceding substantial merit and positioning, the record lacked evidence that the proposed endeavor had national importance or would impact the field beyond her company and clients.

Entrepreneur with 18 years business experience sought NIW through company providing sales and revenue services to U.S. businesses. AAO dismissed appeal, finding no national importance; petitioner's professional network and expertise relate to second prong only, not to prospective impact beyond client-specific benefits.

Family relationship coach seeking NIW for EB-2. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance despite having substantial merit and petitioner being well-positioned to advance it, because coaching families and training providers would not impact the field broadly as required by Dhanasar.

Project manager with ERP and IT expertise sought NIW, claiming endeavor would streamline U.S. company operations. Advanced degree professional qualified for EB-2. AAO dismissed because proposed project management services lacked national importance; benefits would be employer-specific without broader industry impact or substantial positive economic effects.

Athletic training entrepreneur seeks EB-2 advanced degree professional with national interest waiver for specialized physical training firm. AAO found petitioner qualified for underlying EB-2 but failed first Dhanasar prong: proposed endeavor lacks national importance. Appeal dismissed.

Construction entrepreneur seeking EB-2 national interest waiver. Claimed two decades of business experience and economic ripple effects demonstrate national importance. AAO held that first prong focuses on proposed endeavor itself, not petitioner's skills or execution; no evidence of national importance or broader implications required.

A professional sought EB-2 with NIW to establish a freight transportation company proposing to employ 20 workers. The AAO dismissed, finding insufficient evidence of national importance. The proposed endeavor would benefit specific customers and local employment without demonstrating broader implications for the transportation field.

Entrepreneur sought EB-2 advanced degree or exceptional ability and NIW. AAO found petitioner qualified for advanced degree EB-2 but dismissed NIW appeal. Proposed management consulting endeavor lacked national importance despite job creation projections; substantial merit acknowledged but personal qualifications immaterial to first Dhanasar prong.

Petitioner proposes startup logistics and transportation company in Florida. Claimed endeavor has national importance. AAO held prior work experience and generalized industry reports do not establish specific endeavor's national importance; startup company among many competitors lacks demonstrated broader field implications.

Brazilian lawyer and operations manager sought NIW to operate business providing immigration consultancy and assistance to Latino entrepreneurs. AAO affirmed denial, finding endeavor lacks national importance and petitioner lacks business preparation beyond a plan, despite relevant legal background.

Entrepreneur in commercial flooring sought EB-2 NIW. AAO withdrew Director's advanced degree finding due to deficient work experience letters, but affirmed NIW denial. Proposed business lacked demonstrated national importance; claimed strategic approaches and product diversity offered only incremental benefits.

IT project manager sought NIW for EB-2 advanced degree or exceptional ability classification without job offer. AAO dismissed appeal because the proposed IT project management services lacked national importance; petitioner made unsupported claims without evidence of field-wide impact or substantial economic benefits.