Published AAO appeal decisions

CEO with advanced degree sought EB-2 NIW for self-employed consulting firm in business development and global trade. AAO held proposed endeavor, though of substantial merit, lacks national importance; petitioner failed to show broader implications or economic effects rising to national level.

Car dealership owner seeking EB-2 exceptional ability with national interest waiver. Claimed endeavor has national importance through environmental benefits and economic effects. AAO affirmed denial because proposed business lacks national importance, significant U.S. employment potential, or broader field implications.

An industrial-organizational consultant and entrepreneur sought EB-2 NIW classification, proposing a manufacturing consulting and workforce training company. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked sufficient specificity and consistency to establish substantial merit and national importance under Dhanasar's first prong.

Business administrator seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver to establish accounting and financial advisory services company. Claimed substantial merit and national importance based on industry significance and economic contributions. AAO held the proposed endeavor lacks demonstrated national importance; broad industry importance and projections insufficient without corroborating evidence of petitioner's specific business impact.

Healthcare consultant sought NIW to establish and operate new healthcare consulting company as CEO, proposing to optimize human capital and patient care resource allocation. AAO dismissed appeal because proposed endeavor lacks national importance; local economic benefits do not rise to national level; no broader healthcare field implications demonstrated.

Medical device manufacturing entrepreneur with advanced degree sought NIW. Petitioner established qualifying advanced degree status but failed first Dhanasar prong by not demonstrating specific endeavor has national importance. Appeal dismissed without reaching well-positioned or balance prongs.

Service provider with advanced degree sought NIW for business in Florida. Petitioner met underlying EB-2 classification but failed first Dhanasar prong by not establishing national importance of specific proposed endeavor. Revenue projections and staffing levels insufficient to show substantial economic effects. Appeal dismissed.

A quality engineer seeks an EB-2 NIW to operate a consulting business in quality management. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed business lacked evidence of national importance despite claimed economic benefits, job creation, and tax impact.

Airline petitions for assistant director of operations and pilot as EB-2 exceptional ability with national interest waiver. AAO reversed service center's approval, finding beneficiary failed three of six evidentiary criteria, lacking relevant academic credentials, sufficient employment verification, and professional association membership.

Business owner in economically depressed area sought EB-2 with NIW for beauty care and candy distribution company claiming national importance through cultural enrichment and economic benefits. AAO held location in depressed area alone insufficient; proposed endeavor lacks significant employment potential or substantial positive economic effects.

A recruiter in financial analysis sought NIW as EB-2 exceptional ability individual proposing to establish a recruitment consulting business. The AAO found substantial merit but dismissed the appeal, holding that the proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance without evidence of broad economic effects.

A business administration consultant seeks EB-2 NIW for a startup consulting company. Director denied the petition. AAO affirmed, finding the proposed endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance; helping unidentified SMEs and employing seventeen workers does not rise to national impact required under Dhanasar.

Logistics entrepreneur claiming NIW for business management company. Advanced degree holder qualified for EB-2. Claimed supply chain improvements and job growth demonstrate national importance. AAO found proposed endeavor lacks broader implications and substantial economic impact required for national importance under Dhanasar.

Sales manager at logistics company sought EB-2 NIW. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance under Dhanasar's first prong. Petitioner failed to show how continuing sales management work would impact U.S. economy or sector broadly beyond individual clients.

Facilities manager claiming EB-2 with national interest waiver. AAO affirmed Director's finding that proposed endeavor lacks national importance; work limited to immediate employers and clients with no broader field or economic impact. Appeal dismissed.

A customs broker and CEO sought EB-2 classification as an individual of exceptional ability with a national interest waiver. The AAO affirmed denial of both requests, finding the petitioner failed the first Dhanasar prong; while the aviation industry is important, his specific endeavor lacks national importance and his claimed economic benefits lack sufficient evidentiary support.

Chief executive and entrepreneur with advanced degree sought EB-2 national interest waiver. Qualified for underlying advanced degree classification. AAO held proposed endeavor lacked national importance under first Dhanasar prong: petitioner failed to demonstrate substantial U.S. economic impact, job creation, or broader field implications beyond personal work with selected companies and clients.

An accounting specialist entrepreneur sought EB-2 national interest waiver to hire forty-four employees. The AAO affirmed denial under Dhanasar's first prong: while the endeavor has substantial merit, it lacks national importance. The petitioner failed to show significant potential to employ U.S. workers or substantial positive economic effects beyond her company.

Telecommunications consultant seeking EB-2 NIW. Petitioner self-filed. AAO found substantial merit but not national importance; evidence showed expertise and past accomplishments but not prospective impact on field or economy at national level.

Entrepreneur seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver to develop a business venture. Petitioner claimed substantial merit and national importance based on business plan, support letters, and documentary evidence. AAO dismissed because the proposed endeavor lacks national importance beyond the immediate employer and customers; descriptions conflicted with Form I-140.

Business consultant with advanced degree seeks EB-2 national interest waiver to operate consulting company serving small and medium enterprises. Petitioner claimed economic growth and government alignment. AAO held national importance unmet; personal statements and business plan lack sufficient evidence of broader field implications or substantial positive economic effects.

Foreign trade specialist sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance because evidence shows only limited benefits to specific employer clients, not broader industry implications or significant employment and economic effects.

Business and hospitality management specialist sought EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO dismissed appeal, holding proposed endeavor to reposition U.S. hospitality industry lacks national importance because generalized industry articles do not address specific prospective impact or broader field implications required by Dhanasar.

Business consultant seeks NIW for employment as business manager consultant. AAO affirmed director's finding that petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance; credentials and experience do not show proposed endeavor extends beyond clientele to impact broader field.

A logistics management consultant sought NIW as EB-2 advanced degree professional proposing to establish a consulting company. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked sufficient evidence of substantial positive economic effects or national importance beyond serving particular clients.