Published AAO appeal decisions

A cardiologist and director seeking NIW under EB-2 claimed substantial merit and national importance for clinical work, teaching, and leadership. AAO found substantial merit but not national importance; clinical impact limited to individual workplace. Petitioner also failed to demonstrate being well positioned to advance endeavor.

An engineer employed at a semiconductor tool manufacturer seeks a national interest waiver for EB-2 classification. He proposed to continue research and development of proprietary tools in his specialized field. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding his work lacks national importance because evidence does not show broader implications beyond his employer's operations or demonstrate significant potential to employ U.S. workers.

Business manager with advanced degree sought national interest waiver for EB-2 claiming endeavor to improve U.S. business structures and profitability. AAO found he was well positioned to advance but proposed endeavor lacked sufficient national importance specificity, failing first Dhanasar prong and rendering waiver ineligible.

Mechanical engineer with Ph.D. seeking EB-2 national interest waiver. Petitioner held advanced degree but failed to establish substantial merit and national importance of proposed endeavor under Dhanasar framework. AAO dismissed because petitioner did not differentiate proposed research from past work or demonstrate prospective impact.

A nonprofit executive sought EB-2 exceptional ability and national interest waiver. The AAO affirmed that he did not meet exceptional ability criteria. On NIW review under Dhanasar, the decision found the first prong failed because his proposed nonprofit management work lacked sufficient detail to demonstrate national importance beyond organizational level activities.

A dental surgeon with advanced degree sought EB-2 classification and national interest waiver. While qualified as advanced degree professional, the AAO agreed with the Director that the proposed endeavor lacked national importance under the first Dhanasar prong because the offered administrative position was unrelated to dental research and expansion plans lacked documented national economic impact.

A physician seeking EB-2 classification with NIW qualification proposed medical research combined with clinical practice. The AAO dismissed because the petitioner failed the first Dhanasar prong: the proposed endeavor lacked sufficient national importance, with vague research intentions and minimal documentation insufficient to distinguish from ordinary practice.

Physical therapist entrepreneur qualified for advanced degree classification but sought national interest waiver. AAO found proposed endeavor lacked national importance; projected employment of 10-14 workers and local benefits insufficient; shortage in field does not establish national importance.

A postdoctoral biochemistry researcher sought an NIW under Dhanasar for developing novel disease treatment derivatives. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding all three Dhanasar prongs met: proposed research had substantial merit and national importance, petitioner was well positioned to advance it, and balance favored waiver of job offer requirement.

Agricultural business director with advanced degree sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. Service center qualified petitioner for advanced degree but denied waiver. Petitioner argued proposed endeavor part of sustainable farming initiative with national importance. AAO found proposed business lacked national importance under Dhanasar first prong and dismissed appeal.

A mechanical engineer with advanced degree sought NIW for HVAC engineering work. The AAO affirmed denial because her proposed work lacked sufficient national importance under Dhanasar's first prong; it would not impact the field broadly beyond her employer and clients.

Senior research associate with advanced degree in medical data statistics sought NIW for EB-2. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed research had national importance but petitioner failed to demonstrate being well positioned to advance it despite citations and peer review work.

A biochemist and molecular biologist sought an NIW under EB-2. The AAO withdrew the Director's finding on the second prong and dismissed because she failed to demonstrate being well-positioned to advance her research endeavor. Education, citations, and peer review alone were insufficient without evidence of sustained funding or primary role in grant awards.

A medical scientist seeks NIW for research on diseases and therapeutic development. First Dhanasar prong met: research has substantial merit and national importance. Second prong failed: no evidence of financial support, entity interest, or positioning to advance the proposed endeavor in the United States.

A chemical engineer with advanced degree sought national interest waiver for EB-2 classification. The AAO found the proposed research had substantial merit and national importance but concluded the petitioner was not well positioned to advance it, dismissing the appeal.

A social work coordinator sought a national interest waiver for an EB-2 position. The AAO found the petitioner qualified for advanced degree classification but failed the first Dhanasar prong: the proposed endeavor lacked national importance, had only state-level scope, and showed no potential for national economic effects or process improvements.

A reconstructive surgeon sought NIW under EB-2 for proposed clinical and surgical practice. AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance because petitioner failed to demonstrate broader field impact or significant economic benefits beyond individual geographic areas.

A MEMS researcher sought NIW for advanced research in MEMS device design and fabrication. The AAO found his proposed work met the first Dhanasar prong but lacked sufficient evidence under the second prong that he is well positioned to advance the research independently.

Materials chemistry researcher pursuing Ph.D. seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver. Met first Dhanasar prong: proposed research in smart polymers has broader field implications. Failed second prong: insufficient evidence of being well positioned to advance the research despite publications, citations, and support letters. Appeal dismissed.

Analytical chemist holding advanced degree sought national interest waiver for chemical sensor research. AAO dismissed, finding petitioner relied on past research but did not establish sufficient prospective impact or national importance for revised proposed endeavors involving new research directions.

A financial manager with an advanced degree sought a national interest waiver of the job offer requirement, proposing to advise businesses on investment strategies and train staff. The AAO held the endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance, since the industry's importance is not the test and economic impact went unsupported. Remaining prongs were not reached.

Accountant sought EB-2 with national interest waiver based on proposed accounting and tax consulting work. Director and AAO found substantial merit but rejected national importance, finding no sufficient evidence of broad economic impact beyond employer and clients. Appeal dismissed.

An entrepreneur claimed EB-2 advanced degree and exceptional ability status with national interest waiver. AAO found petitioner lacked qualifying advanced degree and did not establish exceptional ability. Proposed endeavor failed Dhanasar first prong; business activities lacked national importance.

An entrepreneur sought EB-2 as advanced degree holder or exceptional ability person with national interest waiver. The AAO found no advanced degree, rejected exceptional ability (unmet criteria), and dismissed the NIW claim under Dhanasar because the first prong failed: his business income and employment gains did not establish substantial merit or national importance.

An administrative services specialist sought EB-2 classification with a national interest waiver but failed to qualify as advanced degree holder or person of exceptional ability. The AAO found her proposed work as executive assistant lacked national importance under Dhanasar's first prong, showing no substantial economic benefits, dismissing the appeal.