Published AAO appeal decisions

Human resources specialist sought NIW for EB-2 classification. She claimed her proposed HR consulting work had national importance via business plan and industry reports. AAO held the endeavor lacked national importance because her work would benefit only specific clients and employers, not the HR field or economy broadly.

An entrepreneur seeking EB-2 classification with national interest waiver claimed to work in oil and gas consulting. The AAO found the petitioner failed the first Dhanasar prong by providing vague, contradictory descriptions of the proposed endeavor without establishing its specific national importance.

Supply chain management specialist seeking EB-2 advanced degree with national interest waiver. Claimed supply chain expertise for pharmaceutical companies had national importance and he was well positioned to advance it. AAO found petitioner confused industry importance with specific endeavor importance; no evidence of impact beyond particular employers or substantial economic effects for nation.

A human resources manager sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver for consulting work through her company. AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor had substantial merit but lacked demonstrated national importance; insufficient evidence of potential to employ workers or produce substantial positive economic effects.

An entrepreneur in supply chain management with an advanced degree seeking EB-2 national interest waiver. The AAO found the petitioner qualified as advanced degree holder but failed the first Dhanasar prong. While the endeavor showed substantial merit, the petitioner lacked evidence of national importance beyond her own business operations.

Human resources manager with advanced degree seeks NIW for EB-2 classification to implement diversity and workplace safety initiatives in U.S. companies. AAO dismissed appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance despite substantial merit; general HR and safety work does not satisfy Dhanasar first prong.

General and operations manager seeks EB-2 with national interest waiver under Dhanasar framework. AAO dismissed, finding proposed endeavor lacks substantial merit and national importance; basic economic activity of advising businesses does not reach level required for waiver.

Employer-sponsored human resources manager with advanced degree sought EB-2 NIW. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to establish national importance of her specific HR endeavor; general HR shortage and field importance do not meet Dhanasar framework.

HR manager petitioner self-filed for EB-2 with NIW, proposing HR consulting services for small and medium enterprises. AAO dismissed on two grounds: petitioner lacked five years of required post-baccalaureate experience in HR specialty, and proposed endeavor lacks national importance because general information about labor shortages and small business does not establish this specific business will have broader implications beyond its limited clients.

A product manager with master's degrees in international business and marketing seeks EB-2 national interest waiver. The AAO affirmed denial because while the endeavor has substantial merit, the petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance as the proposed work lacks prospective impact beyond his employer.

Operations and administrative manager with business degree seeks NIW for frozen-food business and consulting work. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance and insufficient detail; unresolved time allocation issues cast doubt on economic impact.

A general and operations manager sought a national interest waiver for EB-2 classification, proposing to provide expert managerial services to U.S. companies. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the specific endeavor lacks national importance; it would benefit only individual employers and clients, not the broader field or economy.

A general and operations manager seeks EB-2 NIW as individual of exceptional ability. The petitioner claimed multiple exceptional ability criteria. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding petitioner did not satisfy three of six criteria required for exceptional ability, eliminating NIW eligibility.

Sales manager with advanced degree sought NIW for business endeavors including sales consulting and trading company. AAO found substantial merit but no national importance; the work lacked evidence of broader economic implications or prospective impact sufficient for waiver eligibility.

Event planner with advanced degree sought NIW for EB-2 classification. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance. Speaking engagements, media coverage, and professional memberships did not establish impact reaching level of manufacturing innovations or medical advances.

Entrepreneur seeking NIW for advanced degree EB-2 to pursue body-positive social movement work. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacks definition, specified location, funding plan, and job creation details needed to establish national importance under Dhanasar first prong.

Information technology project manager seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver. Petitioner founded consulting company after petition filing based on client solicitations. AAO found proposed endeavor lacks sufficient specificity and national importance; STEM field designation alone does not establish required impact in information technology project management.

Business development director sought EB-2 NIW as advanced degree professional. Qualified for underlying EB-2. AAO found proposed business development endeavor poorly defined and lacking substantial merit and national importance. Petitioner failed to document specific projects, scale, or prospective economic impact needed to establish national importance.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A business administrator seeks an NIW for EB-2 classification. She claimed the proposed endeavor of providing business administration services has national importance. The AAO found substantial merit but dismissed because the specific endeavor lacks national importance; evidence addressed only general importance of business administration, not its specific prospective impact.