AAO Decisions Explorer · Free
Published AAO appeal decisions
Search the decisions the Administrative Appeals Office has published, narrow them by visa, criterion, field and year, and read our summary of each one with a link to the official PDF.
Decisions in the library
6,586
6,586 classified
Visa types
3
Years covered
2005-2026
Latest decision
Aug 31, 2026
Filters
3 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- EB-2 NIWLife sciences and medicineSep 2020Dismissed
A biomedical researcher sought EB-2 NIW classification under the Dhanasar framework. The AAO found the proposed research had substantial merit and national importance, but concluded the petitioner failed to demonstrate she was well positioned to advance the research, precluding NIW eligibility.
1 of 3 criteria metRead → - EB-2 NIWLife sciences and medicineMay 2020Sustained
A physician-researcher in cardiology sought an EB-2 national interest waiver while in medical residency. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding his research on mechanical circulatory support satisfied all three Dhanasar prongs: substantial merit and national importance, strong qualifications to advance the work, and overall benefit to the United States.
3 of 3 criteria metRead → - EB-2 NIWLife sciences and medicineFeb 2020Dismissed
A physician and neuropathology researcher sought EB-2 with national interest waiver for neurodegenerative disease research. The AAO found the research met the first prong: substantial merit and national importance. However, the second prong failed due to insufficient evidence of positioning to advance the research. Appeal dismissed.
1 of 3 criteria metRead →