Published AAO appeal decisions

Entrepreneur in wallpaper industry seeking EB-2 NIW presented inconsistent proposed endeavors: wallpaper business and finance treasurer role. The AAO dismissed the appeal because petitioner failed to consistently describe the specific proposed endeavor, preventing assessment of substantial merit and national importance.

Entrepreneur in accounting/business qualified as advanced degree professional but failed NIW. Motion to reopen and reconsider dismissed because Petitioner offered previously submitted arguments without new evidence showing national importance or substantial positive economic effects.

Healthcare lobbying specialist in Brazil seeks EB-2 NIW. Claimed STEM field designation and pharmaceutical economics focus establish national importance. AAO dismissed, finding proposed endeavor lacks prospective impact on industry or economy beyond client work; STEM designation alone insufficient without demonstrated broader field impact.

A pastor sought NIW classification for a pastoral counseling firm in Pennsylvania. The applicant claimed substantial social and cultural value. The AAO found the endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance, finding no evidence of broader field impact, job creation potential, or substantial economic effects beyond specific clients.

Healthcare administrator seeking NIW for EB-2 to work in healthcare facilities and create consulting company. Claimed national importance through healthcare importance and business plan. AAO dismissed, finding endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance because work limited to individual company clients without broader field impact.

Public relations consultant seeking NIW for EB-2. Claimed public relations work has national importance via articles and employment projections. AAO dismissed, affirming Director's finding that contradictory evidence and generic field importance do not establish national importance of petitioner's specific endeavor.

An entrepreneur seeking EB-2 NIW for a digital marketing and mobile app consultancy business claimed substantial merit and national importance. AAO agreed substantial merit was established but held the specific endeavor lacked national importance because it showed no broader implications beyond the company and its customers.

Logistics manager consultant sought EB-2 with NIW to open pharmaceutical consulting company. AAO held she lacked advanced degree or exceptional ability for EB-2; failed first Dhanasar prong because proposed endeavor lacked national importance, showing only local client value without broader field implications.

An entrepreneur with advanced degree in logistics sought national interest waiver for EB-2. AAO dismissed, finding petitioner confused industry importance with endeavor importance, failed to establish specific business would substantially benefit field or economy, and lacked credible job creation projections.

A general operations manager with advanced degree sought national interest waiver for EB-2 classification. AAO dismissed appeal, finding the proposed endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance under Dhanasar; benefits are limited to individual clients without broader implications to the field or economy.

A pilot seeking EB-2 NIW to work in aviation claimed his endeavor has substantial merit and national importance. AAO held that while the aviation industry is important, the pilot's specific proposed work lacks demonstrated national importance and broader field impact.

A wellness consultant sought EB-2 NIW without submitting translated degree transcripts and claiming her consultancy firm would advance national wellness. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance because it would only benefit clients and trainees locally, not impact the field broadly.

Business strategist seeks EB-2 NIW. AAO sustained appeal dismissing petition because proposed endeavor lacks national importance despite claimed global implications. Decision notes specific endeavor impact determines national importance, not field importance.

A management specialist seeks EB-2 national interest waiver. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance of the proposed endeavor. Although the petitioner is well-positioned to advance it, the evidence does not show broader impacts on the field or substantial positive economic effects at national level.

A consultant seeking EB-2 classification and national interest waiver for a small business development endeavor in economically disadvantaged cities. The AAO dismissed the appeal, holding the proposed endeavor lacks the national importance required under Dhanasar's first prong, as the petitioner did not demonstrate substantial positive economic effects or significant job creation potential.

Accountant and professor sought NIW as EB-2 advanced degree professional to operate management consulting business. AAO dismissed because generalized assertions about profitability and job creation lack corroborating evidence showing endeavor extends beyond client base to benefit field; insufficient economic impact demonstrated.

A Russian entrepreneur sought EB-2 with NIW for a mental health business focused on body-positive movement. The AAO dismissed because while the endeavor had substantial merit, petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance; ripple effects within a narrow community insufficient.

Accountant and entrepreneur seeks EB-2 NIW for business consulting firm. Petitioner claimed substantial merit and national importance under Dhanasar. AAO dismissed because the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; general business improvement and economic assertions were insufficient without specific evidence of prospective national-level impact.

A real estate broker and sales agent sought EB-2 immigrant classification and national interest waiver. The AAO found she qualified as an advanced degree professional but failed the NIW first prong (substantial merit and national importance), as her real estate brokerage work lacks broader field implications required by Dhanasar.

A public administration expert in sports with advanced degree sought EB-2 NIW classification. Director found substantial merit but denied national importance. On appeal, petitioner submitted letters of intent and business projections forecasting 14 jobs by year five, but AAO found projections lacked significance for broader field or national economy impact.

A paralegal and entrepreneur sought EB-2 national interest waiver for a legal consulting firm. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; industry importance and past accomplishments were insufficient without evidence of broad prospective impact or substantial economic effects.

Steel manufacturing entrepreneur sought EB-2 advanced degree classification and NIW for proposed steel pipe manufacturing company. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to demonstrate four-year undergraduate degree equivalent and proposed endeavor lacked national importance beyond prospective clients and employees.

Human resources professional and entrepreneur seeking EB-2 classification with national interest waiver for human resources consulting startup. Qualified as advanced degree professional but failed first Dhanasar prong. AAO found proposed endeavor lacked sufficient evidence of national importance and would benefit only business and immediate clients.

A CEO of a lighting event design group seeking EB-2 classification as exceptional ability professional with national interest waiver. The AAO dismissed because the petitioner failed to establish the underlying EB-2 qualification, lacking both an advanced degree and meeting three of the exceptional ability criteria, making national interest waiver analysis unnecessary.

Public bid procurement specialist sought EB-2 with national interest waiver to work in US helping government win bids in Brazil. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance and failed first prong of Dhanasar; lacked evidence of broader field impact or substantial economic effects.