Published AAO appeal decisions

Aeronautical engineer seeking NIW for consulting work in aviation. Claimed substantial merit and national importance. AAO dismissed appeal, finding endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance because petitioner provided no documentation of specific impact beyond consulting clients or broader aviation field implications.

Engineer and drone operator sought NIW as EB-2 advanced degree professional. AAO affirmed denial, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance. Evidence showed competence but no impact beyond employer or clients, nor field-wide advancement commensurate with national importance.

Industrial instrumentation specialist sought EB-2 advanced degree classification with national interest waiver. AAO dismissed, finding proposed endeavor of providing instrumentation services to manufacturing companies lacks national importance; benefits limited to specific employer and clients without broader field or economic impact.

A Colombian aviation mechanic sought EB-2 classification as person of exceptional ability with national interest waiver. The AAO found the petitioner met three evidentiary criteria but lacked exceptional ability in final merits determination; the proposed endeavor also lacked national importance, thus dismissing the appeal.

Industrial engineer seeks NIW to provide industrial engineering services domestically. AAO dismissed appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacks sufficient specificity and national importance because petitioner failed to identify the industry or field, provided only general claims, and did not demonstrate potential significant employment or economic effects.

Manufacturing engineering manager sought EB-2 NIW. AAO dismissed, holding that although petitioner qualifies as an advanced degree professional and is well positioned to advance the endeavor, it lacks national importance because it does not demonstrate sufficient prospective impact on the field or nation.

Aircraft mechanic and technician sought EB-2 advanced degree or exceptional ability classification with national interest waiver. AAO dismissed, finding proposed endeavor of working as aircraft interior technician lacks national importance; arguments regarding aviation industry importance do not establish specific endeavor's broader impact.

Aircraft mechanic sought EB-2 NIW classification. AAO held petitioner failed to establish national importance of his specific endeavor; performing typical occupational duties and industry growth projections do not demonstrate the required broader field impact or substantial economic effects.

Mining technician seeking NIW for advanced-degree EB-2. AAO found petitioner failed to establish EB-2 underlying qualification and, separately, failed to demonstrate national importance of specific mining engineering services endeavor despite industry-wide significance. Appeal dismissed on both independent bases.

Industrial engineer with advanced degree seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver to establish engineering consulting business. AAO dismissed because proposed endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance—work benefits specific clients and supply chain but lacks broader industry impact required by Dhanasar.

Mechanical engineer seeks NIW for project management work through established company. AAO found EB-2 advanced degree eligibility unestablished due to unclear concurrent employment and insufficient experience documentation. Also held proposed endeavor lacks national importance without evidence of broader industry or supply chain impact.

Thermal R&D engineer with Ph.D. in mechanical engineering sought EB-2 advanced degree professional classification with NIW. AAO affirmed Director's finding that proposed research has substantial merit but lacks national importance. Letters and industry reports insufficient without specific evidence of broader field impact or national implications.

A mechanical engineer seeks EB-2 national interest waiver to work as construction manager in oil and gas sector. The AAO found substantial merit but no national importance, as the work lacks prospective impact beyond the employer and clients to broader industry implications.

A mechanical engineer sought NIW classification for research on ocean energy conversion using vortex-induced vibration. The AAO affirmed dismissal, finding the proposed research had substantial merit and national importance but the petitioner failed to demonstrate he was well-positioned to advance it despite his advanced degree.

Mechatronics engineer sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. Described endeavor as continued employment with multinational companies on cross-border transactions; later added business plan and service company. AAO held proposed endeavor lacked national importance; business plan materials presented new facts post-filing; letters and articles address industry, not specific endeavor impact.

Petroleum engineer sought NIW for EB-2. He proposed employment in oil and gas engineering services, claiming national importance based on industry growth. AAO held his specific endeavor lacked national importance because it demonstrated no substantial economic impact or job creation benefit beyond prospective employers.