Published AAO appeal decisions

Product manager at gaming and streaming company seeks EB-2 NIW. Petitioner claimed endeavor has substantial merit via AI and ML innovation and cybercrime prevention. AAO affirmed Director's finding that endeavor lacks national importance; role's impact confined to employer without demonstrating broader industry implications or substantial economic effects.

Film and animation director sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. AAO affirmed advanced degree qualification but dismissed appeal, holding proposed endeavor failed to demonstrate national importance; cultural significance of intended television and film projects insufficient without evidence of prospective impact.

A research scientist in experimental nuclear physics sought EB-2 NIW classification. The AAO agreed the proposed endeavor had substantial merit and national importance but found the petitioner was not well positioned to advance it based on education, skills, and record of success. Appeal dismissed without reaching the balancing prong.

Industrial designer seeking NIW classification. Petitioner claimed substantial merit and national importance for endeavor offering design and branding services. AAO held proposed endeavor amounted to job search lacking prospective impact beyond future employers, insufficient for national importance; appeal dismissed.

Cartography manager sought EB-2 NIW for GIS development and consulting project. AAO dismissed, finding no sufficient documentary evidence establishing the specific proposed endeavor has national importance or broader field impact despite working in important data technology sector.

Dentist holding advanced degree seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver. Petitioner proposed consulting and research in laser dentistry. AAO found the proposed endeavor lacked sufficient specificity and evidence demonstrating potential prospective impact at national importance level. Appeal dismissed under first prong of Dhanasar.

An architect seeking EB-2 national interest waiver for sustainable housing design work claimed the endeavor addresses U.S. housing crisis with national importance. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding insufficient evidence of how the specific proposed projects would have prospective impact of national importance beyond general industry assertions.

A hemodialysis nurse sought EB-2 classification with a national interest waiver for her proposed mobile dialysis service company. The AAO affirmed denial, finding the endeavor showed substantial merit addressing kidney disease but lacked the national importance required under Dhanasar because it would not impact the field broadly or generate substantial economic effects beyond serving her own patients.

Marketing manager sought EB-2 NIW. AAO dismissed appeal, finding insufficient evidence of national importance under Dhanasar's first prong. Petitioner's endeavor lacked detail and specificity; benefits appeared bounded by single employer rather than demonstrating broader national implications.

A military chaplain with advanced foreign degrees sought EB-2 classification and national interest waiver. The AAO found she met the advanced degree requirement but dismissed her appeal because her proposed military chaplain endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance beyond serving individual servicemembers.

An exercise physiologist and entrepreneur sought EB-2 classification and national interest waiver for work in exercise physiology and business. The AAO affirmed the service center's denial because the petitioner failed to demonstrate his proposed endeavor had national importance beyond his individual clients and lacked evidence of substantial economic impact.

Semiconductor equipment engineer sought NIW claiming to operate and maintain semiconductor manufacturing facilities. AAO dismissed because the proposed endeavor lacked sufficient specificity and detail; showing work in an important field alone does not establish national importance of the specific endeavor.

Financial services manager with MBA sought NIW as EB-2 professional to advance KYC and AML strategies. AAO dismissed, finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance despite industry significance; petitioner failed to demonstrate prospective impact beyond employer benefits.

Platform Engineer II position in cloud infrastructure. Employer-sponsored EB-2 NIW petition. Petitioner established substantial merit but failed to show national importance of the specific endeavor; work benefited only the employer with no demonstrated broader implications or economic effects for the nation.

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.

Entrepreneur seeking NIW to operate investment management company serving Brazilian ultra-high-net-worth individuals in Florida. AAO dismissed appeal, finding the specific endeavor lacks national importance despite substantial merit; benefits limited to prospective clients and employees without broader field impact.

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.

Self-petitioner marketing manager proposing green marketing consulting business. Claimed national interest waiver under Dhanasar. AAO dismissed appeal finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance despite substantial merit determination; insufficient evidence of prospective impact beyond business clients.

Cybersecurity and IT teacher seeks NIW for EB-2 advanced degree classification as IT professional. Claimed endeavor would reduce fraud and identity theft nationwide. AAO dismissed appeal, finding no demonstrated national importance or broad prospective impact beyond specific employers required under Dhanasar framework.

Marketing entrepreneur sought national interest waiver claiming expertise in Brazilian advertising market beneficial to US expansion efforts. AAO found proposed endeavor lacks substantial merit and national importance, affecting only prospective employers and clients without broader impact on advertising field or economy, and no demonstrated job creation or economic effects.

Automotive service technician seeks EB-2 NIW for process toolmaking and quality control in automotive manufacturing. AAO dismissed appeal on two independent grounds: deficient signature on appeal form, and lack of national importance of proposed endeavor under Dhanasar first prong.

Self-petitioner aeronautical engineer proposing to establish aircraft maintenance and repair services business. Claimed national interest waiver. AAO dismissed appeal because proposed endeavor lacks the national importance required by first prong of Dhanasar framework; business lacks broader implications beyond clients and employees.

Financial specialist seeking EB-2 exceptional ability with NIW. Proposed founding financial analysis and planning services firm. AAO affirmed denial: has substantial merit but lacks national importance; modest job creation and revenue projections insufficient for national-level economic impact.

Senior AI researcher sought EB-2 NIW for research on disease prediction using biomedical data and modeling. AAO held specific endeavor lacks national importance; research field importance and petitioner credentials do not demonstrate broader industry or national impact.

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.