Published AAO appeal decisions

An entrepreneur directing a small freight transportation company sought a national interest waiver. AAO dismissed because the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; local job creation and company-focused benefits did not extend to broader industry or national economic impact.

Physician and business consultant sought NIW as EB-2 advanced degree professional. AAO affirmed denial, finding proposed endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance. Vague description of business consulting services and market opportunity did not establish specific prospective impact on healthcare field.

Entrepreneur seeking national interest waiver for EB-2 exceptional ability classification. Petitioner claimed involvement with brand and ventures. AAO withdrew Director's finding that petitioner met three criteria, concluding insufficient evidentiary basis for EB-2 eligibility; first Dhanasar prong also not met; appeal dismissed.

Sales manager holding advanced degree sought national interest waiver for EB-2 proposed endeavor. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed sales work in IT sector lacked national importance under Dhanasar framework; revenue generation to employer insufficient without demonstrating wider significance or broader implications.

Human resources entrepreneur sought NIW as EB-2 advanced degree or exceptional ability holder. Proposed HR consulting services in Texas. AAO reversed Director's advanced degree finding; affirmed denial under Dhanasar, finding endeavor lacked national importance despite employment projections and industry importance.

Organizational psychologist sought EB-2 NIW for HR services business. Claimed substantial merit and national importance. AAO found substantial merit established but rejected national importance because the endeavor would not impact the HR field broadly, only the petitioner's organization and clients.

A marketing and product development executive sought EB-2 classification as an advanced degree professional and national interest waiver. The AAO affirmed denial because her proposed endeavor to develop beauty industry products lacked national importance; impact limited to specific employer benefit rather than broad industry or economic effect.

A general and operations manager pursued EB-2 advanced degree and NIW classification. The AAO found the petitioner failed to identify a specific proposed endeavor, instead describing general construction management. Without specific details, national importance and positioning could not be assessed.

Logistics manager sought EB-2 NIW to operate trucking company. AAO dismissed: while endeavor has substantial merit, petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance. Business plan projections and job creation targets insufficient to show substantial positive economic effects at national level required by Dhanasar.

Entrepreneur seeking NIW for EB-2 classification. Proposed service outsourcing and marketing business. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to establish advanced degree eligibility and did not demonstrate national importance of proposed endeavor; expert letter provided only conclusory assertions without substantive explanation.

Human talent administrator sought NIW as EB-2 advanced degree professional for HR consulting company. AAO affirmed denial, finding endeavor lacked national importance. Business plan showed potential but failed to demonstrate broad field implications, substantial economic effects, or impact beyond clients sufficient for national importance.

Cross-cultural leadership specialist sought EB-2 NIW to advise US businesses on organizational development. Petitioner met second prong showing qualifications but failed first prong; proposed work would not extend beyond employer and clients to impact the field at national level.

An entrepreneur in commercial management proposed financial and commercial consulting. AAO dismissed because the proposed endeavor lacks national importance; evidence does not establish regional or national impact or broader implications in the commercial consulting field.

A police inspector with an advanced degree sought EB-2 national interest waiver for a private security consulting business. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding that while the field itself is important, the petitioner failed to demonstrate his specific business would impact the private security industry broadly or extend beyond serving individual clients.

A pest control entrepreneur with a biology degree seeks EB-2 NIW to operate a pest control management business in Florida. AAO dismissed because the proposed endeavor lacks national importance under Dhanasar; the business would serve only local customers and employees and does not impact the pest control industry broadly.

Supply chain specialist sought NIW as EB-2 advanced degree professional. AAO affirmed denial, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance. While supply chain optimization has value, petitioner failed to show impact beyond employer or broader field implications commensurate with national importance.

Marketing manager seeking EB-2 NIW for startup marketing consultancy. AAO affirmed director's finding that endeavor lacked national importance; breadth of implications limited to petitioner's company and clients without broader regional or field-wide impact.

A business individual sought NIW for EB-2 exceptional ability classification. Petitioner claimed business endeavor would benefit the United States. The AAO dismissed based on derogatory evidence that an affiliated entity supplied spyware to hostile governments, and Entity List designation imposing export control constraints, undermining all three Dhanasar prongs.

Self-petitioner, organizational development specialist proposing supply chain management and logistics consulting, sought EB-2 with NIW. AAO affirmed denial on national importance; petitioner's experience and expert letter on occupation importance insufficient; specific business endeavor lacks broader implications.

Marketing and communication vice president seeks NIW for EB-2. Claimed proposed endeavor promotes economic growth and onshoring in textile industry. AAO held the work lacks national importance; promoting existing technologies to current and prospective customers does not impact industry or field more broadly.

Logistician sought exceptional ability classification with national interest waiver. AAO affirmed denial because proposed endeavor lacked national importance under Dhanasar; role maintaining current employment and serving employer clients insufficient, lacking national or global implications or significant broader field impact.

HR and organizational development consultant sought NIW under EB-2 advanced degree. Director found EB-2 eligibility met. AAO agreed first prong requires specific endeavor's national importance, not field importance; petitioner's past achievements and SMB support do not establish proposed endeavor's broader implications for HR field.

A business and finance administrator sought EB-2 advanced degree classification with national interest waiver. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner's proposed endeavor lacked sufficient specificity and national importance; consulting services were too general to demonstrate broader field impact.

Business administrator sought NIW for EB-2 classification to establish management consulting and training company. Director found substantial merit but not national importance. AAO affirmed dismissal, finding petitioner failed to demonstrate her specific endeavor would produce substantial prospective impact or national importance despite overall field significance.

Logistics manager with claimed advanced degree seeks national interest waiver for own business in supply chain management. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to establish underlying EB-2 classification and also did not demonstrate his proposed endeavor has national importance beyond his clients.