Published AAO appeal decisions

Software developer and entrepreneur sought NIW under EB-2 advanced degree. Petitioner claimed his IT system integration services company would benefit the economy. AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance as required by Dhanasar's first prong, declining to address the remaining prongs.

Technology company petitions for vice president managing national streaming service. AAO sustained appeal finding all three Dhanasar prongs met: endeavor has national importance affecting millions nationally, beneficiary is well-positioned with decade-long track record, and waiver benefits United States.

A researcher in cancer therapeutics using biotechnology tools sought EB-2 national interest waiver. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding the proposed research demonstrated substantial merit and national importance, the petitioner was well positioned to advance it, and on balance waiving the job offer would benefit the United States.

A pilot with advanced degree sought NIW claiming pilot shortage and aviation industry importance. AAO held the proposed endeavor lacked national importance because working in an important field is insufficient and petitioner did not show how individual work would significantly impact the industry or economy broadly.

A statistics researcher proposing to develop predictive models for cybersecurity and data analysis sought NIW. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the specific proposed endeavor lacked national importance under Dhanasar's first prong, as it would not impact the field broadly.

Food industry management consultant and chef sought EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to establish exceptional ability under any EB-2 criterion and did not establish national importance of proposed endeavor; business impact limited to own company.

Personal financial adviser seeking NIW claimed his endeavor of advising clients on finances has national importance. AAO held the endeavor lacks national importance because benefits are limited to individual clients and do not extend to broader field or economy.

Production engineering consultant sought self-petitioner NIW for startup. Claimed substantial merit and national importance through job creation and business efficiency improvements. AAO found substantial merit but rejected national importance because projected 22 employees and revenue had insufficient demonstrated broader impact on national economy or engineering field.

Accounting consultant seeking NIW to operate consulting business in Florida. Claimed endeavor supporting small-medium enterprises has national importance. AAO held the proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance; general field importance and personal experience insufficient without showing specific prospective impact.

An HR specialist seeks NIW for a self-directed HR consulting business. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the endeavor lacks national importance because the petitioner provided no corroborating evidence that benefits extend beyond immediate customers to enhance broader societal welfare or regional economies.

Self-petitioner quality control analyst and entrepreneur in pet apparel sought EB-2 NIW. Submitted business plan, experience records, and recommendation letters. AAO found endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance; claimed job creation and economic benefits were not corroborated; industry importance differs from specific endeavor importance.

Operations manager and entrepreneur in document management sought EB-2 exceptional ability and NIW. AAO affirmed denial: did not meet three required exceptional ability criteria and proposed endeavor lacks national importance; NIW not reached.

Airline captain and flight instructor sought NIW classification claiming pilot shortage demonstrates national importance. AAO held proposed work lacks required national importance because it would not impact the field broadly or demonstrate significant potential to employ workers or provide substantial economic effects beyond the employer.

Self-petitioner in event planning and ethnic supermarket business claims national interest waiver under EB-2. AAO affirmed denial: endeavor has substantial merit but lacks evidence of national importance. Proposed services insufficient to demonstrate prospective impact meeting national importance standard.

An entrepreneur and finance manager in hospitality consulting sought an EB-2 national interest waiver. The AAO found her proposed endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance because it would benefit only her clients without broader field impact or demonstrated substantial positive economic effects.

Self-petitioner, entrepreneur in mining consulting, sought NIW for proposed endeavor serving mining companies. Claimed business plan, contracts, and opinion letters establish national importance. AAO dismissed appeal because record did not show specific endeavor has national importance; focused on generalized industry information rather than substantive impact beyond petitioner's prospective company.

Entrepreneur and financial markets professional sought NIW under EB-2 advanced degree as chief economist for digital currency exchange. AAO dismissed, finding the endeavor has substantial merit but fails the national importance element of Dhanasar's first prong, reserving analysis of remaining prongs.

Entrepreneur owning a Florida business with advanced degree in finance seeks NIW for EB-2 classification. Petitioner claimed his endeavor to support small businesses and train single mothers has national importance. AAO found substantial merit but dismissed because the specific endeavor lacks national importance; general economic activity in business field insufficient.

An entrepreneur seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver for an IT consulting business. Claimed the venture would create 43 jobs in economically depressed areas. AAO dismissed, finding the business plan lacked credible projections and the proposed endeavor's economic impact did not rise to national importance.

Information security consultant self-petitioner claimed national interest waiver for self-employment consulting. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance under Dhanasar: general cybersecurity importance insufficient; projected seven jobs inadequate; no evidence of broader field impact beyond individual clients.

Nurse practitioner specializing in hospital infection control sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. Qualified as advanced degree professional but failed first Dhanasar prong. Proposed endeavor lacks national importance; standard clinical nursing work lacks broader implications or demonstrable substantial economic impact.

Organ transplant coordinator with master's degree sought EB-2 advanced degree and national interest waiver to work on transplant teams. AAO found substantial merit in proposed endeavor but no national importance; individual transplant coordination role lacks broader prospective impact required.

ESL teacher with master's degree seeks EB-2 national interest waiver. Petitioner claimed teaching is substantial merit and nationally important. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance; teaching activities would not extend beyond individual students to impact field broadly.

A business and content manager specializing in travel entrepreneurship sought NIW for EB-2 classification. The AAO affirmed dismissal, finding substantial merit but no national importance because his company's tourism services lacked sufficient scale or demonstrated impact on economically depressed areas.

Entrepreneur with recent foreign degree sought EB-2 NIW for independent logistics business venture. AAO dismissed appeal, finding applicant lacked advanced degree or exceptional ability status and proposed endeavor lacked national importance, with only incremental economic benefits.