Published AAO appeal decisions

Cybersecurity specialist seeks NIW to establish consulting company as CEO. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance of proposed endeavor, lacking evidence the company would operate at scale or have broader implications for cybersecurity industry despite cybersecurity being government priority.

A swimming pool company executive with a master's degree in linguistic sciences sought EB-2 NIW classification. The petitioner's proposed endeavor was operating a swimming pool company. The AAO affirmed that work benefiting a single employer and its clients lacks national importance without demonstrating broader field implications or substantial economic effects.

A communications professional seeking EB-2 classification with national interest waiver claimed she would establish a marketing company as CEO. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding her proposed endeavor would serve only direct clients without demonstrating broader implications or substantial national economic effects required for national importance.

Civil engineer with doctoral research on sustainable construction materials claimed an NIW. AAO found the proposed endeavor had substantial merit and national importance, and the petitioner was well-positioned to advance it, but rejected the waiver because evidence did not establish the national interest was sufficiently urgent to bypass labor certification.

Bacteriologist and clinical analyst claimed an NIW for consulting and entrepreneurial work in healthcare. AAO found the proposed endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance because it was limited to one company's clients and evidence did not show government interest, funding, or broad sectoral implications.

A mechanical engineer and postdoctoral researcher sought NIW for research on catalysts for fuel cells and batteries. AAO found all three Dhanasar prongs satisfied: proposed research has national importance for U.S. competitiveness, petitioner is well positioned to advance it, and waiver benefits the United States.

Human resources management consultant proposed consulting business targeting oil and gas sector. Petitioner established substantial merit but failed to demonstrate national importance; evidence emphasized industry importance rather than specific impact of proposed endeavor beyond unidentified clients.

Physician with cardio-oncology research proposed advancing treatment of cardiovascular diseases in cancer patients. AAO found research met national importance but his published work lacked evidence of driving field progress or generating relevant party interest, failing the well-positioned prong.

Hospitalist physician with medical degree and research expertise in vascular diseases sought NIW for clinical research on peripheral arterial disease. AAO sustained appeal, finding all three Dhanasar prongs met: endeavor has substantial merit and national importance, petitioner well positioned to advance it, and waiver beneficial to United States.

An assistant professor of criminology seeking EB-2 with NIW to conduct research on combating human trafficking claimed substantial merit and national importance. The AAO found substantial merit but insufficient evidence that the specific research endeavor would impact national response to trafficking at the required level.

A social and community service manager and entrepreneur sought EB-2 NIW classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to establish that her proposed endeavor had national importance under Dhanasar's first prong, focusing on broader prospective impact rather than industry or profession importance.

Senior software engineer for digital entertainment company seeks EB-2 with NIW. Petitioner established substantial merit but failed to show national importance. Decision held that work maintaining secure payment platforms for single company, despite STEM context and field importance, lacks prospective impact of national significance.

Data scientist seeking NIW for EB-2 classification. AAO affirmed dismissal because proposed endeavor lacks national importance; while substantial merit established, petitioner's work benefits only current employer with no demonstration of innovations or impact extending beyond employer's business interests or clients.

Machine learning engineer employed at social media company seeking NIW for EB-2. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance despite working in valuable AI field; petitioner's specific work on user engagement lacks broader implications. Appeal dismissed.

An engineer with a master's degree sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver for research on enhancing concrete strength using wastewater byproducts. The AAO dismissed, finding the proposed endeavor lacks national importance: it remains confined to a single employer with no demonstrated broader implications for the field or nation.

Contact center entrepreneur seeks NIW to operate call center service provider. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner did not establish national importance of proposed endeavor. While services may benefit government clients, they lack innovation or evidence of broader industry impact or economic significance beyond company and direct clients.

Neuroscience researcher with Ph.D. seeks EB-2 self-petition with NIW for research on Alzheimer's and ataxia mechanisms using stem cells. AAO found all three Dhanasar prongs met: research has national importance with broader implications, petitioner well-positioned with advanced degree and track record, and waiver benefits U.S. given urgent medical need.

A network security architect employed by an IT services company sought EB-2 NIW classification. The petitioner proposed developing network architecture solutions addressing cyber threats but failed to establish national importance. The AAO held that personal expertise and industry significance do not substitute for demonstrating the specific endeavor's prospective national impact.

Automobile company petitioned for enterprise connectivity systems engineer beneficiary with master's degree, EB-2 advanced degree professional with NIW. AAO upheld denial, finding proposed work lacks national importance beyond employer; focused on specific endeavor, not field importance.

A telecommunications CEO and entrepreneur sought an EB-2 classification with a national interest waiver, planning a company to deploy telecom infrastructure in rural and underserved areas. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the endeavor's benefits were too attenuated to show national importance, and it did not reach the other prongs.

An attorney with advanced degree sought EB-2 NIW for providing international law consulting in foreign investment and trade. The AAO found the endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance as it would not sufficiently extend beyond the petitioner's clients to impact the field or economy broadly, thus failing the first Dhanasar prong.

Musician and teacher with advanced degree claimed an NIW for music education and cultural projects. AAO rejected the waiver because the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; teaching music individually, without demonstrated broad economic or sectoral impact, does not meet Dhanasar's threshold.

Electrical engineer proposing specialized consulting company seeking EB-2 with NIW. AAO affirmed underlying EB-2 eligibility but dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance despite focus on modernization and sustainability.

Logistics management consultant seeking EB-2 NIW for supply chain and trade consulting work. AAO dismissed appeal; petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance despite claims about supply chain resilience and Brazil trade relations, as projections showed only 15 employees versus industry baseline of 13.3 million.

A product development manager and entrepreneur with advanced degree seeking EB-2 classification and national interest waiver. Abandoned initial proposed endeavor after RFE and presented alternative without sufficient development. AAO held inconsistent endeavor presentation prevented meaningful Dhanasar analysis and failed first prong requiring substantial merit and national importance.