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
2 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- EB-2 NIWPhysics and astronomyNov 2025Dismissed
An optical physicist with a master's degree sought NIW for research in optical sciences. The AAO found the research has substantial merit and national importance but dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to demonstrate being well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.
1 of 3 criteria metRead → - EB-2 NIWPhysics and astronomyMay 2025Sustained
A thermal energy researcher with an advanced degree in physics seeks an NIW for research on high thermal conductivity semiconductors. The petitioner demonstrated substantial merit through peer-reviewed publications with high citations, government research funding, and expert support. The AAO found all three Dhanasar prongs satisfied and sustained the appeal.
3 of 3 criteria metRead →
