Published AAO appeal decisions

A pest control entrepreneur with a biology degree seeks EB-2 NIW to operate a pest control management business in Florida. AAO dismissed because the proposed endeavor lacks national importance under Dhanasar; the business would serve only local customers and employees and does not impact the pest control industry broadly.

Self-petitioner quality assurance officer sought EB-2 NIW for healthcare quality improvement work in United States. AAO dismissed appeal because proposed endeavor was vague, lacking specific plans or probative evidence of national importance; letters of support did not adequately detail the specific work or its impact on the healthcare field.

An advanced degree professional proposed an endeavor spanning project management, law, and economics including trade policy, corporate law, and women's economic empowerment. The AAO found her endeavor insufficiently defined and failed to establish that individual employment would impact the nation broadly or employment levels, despite labor shortages.

An information scientist seeks EB-2 NIW to establish a consulting company creating training materials for clients. AAO dismissed because the proposed endeavor lacks national importance and the petitioner is not well-positioned to advance it; consulting with freelance contractors does not establish employment of U.S. workers or substantial national economic benefit.

Supply chain specialist sought NIW as EB-2 advanced degree professional. AAO affirmed denial, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance. While supply chain optimization has value, petitioner failed to show impact beyond employer or broader field implications commensurate with national importance.

A physical therapist self-petitioner qualified as advanced degree professional but failed NIW. AAO held proposed physical therapy clinic lacked national importance because it would not extend beyond company clientele, despite field shortage, lacking broader implications on public health or economy.

Commercial pilot sought EB-2 NIW; materially changed proposed endeavor from pilot employment to drone technology business in response to RFE. AAO rejected drone business change as material alteration and affirmed first-prong denial: pilot employment lacks national importance despite aviation industry shortage; individual employment cannot extend beyond employer level.

Software engineer and IT specialist sought EB-2 NIW to develop novel custom software and assist U.S. companies in digital transformation. AAO held the specific endeavor lacks national importance; importance of information technology and unsupported assertions of fundamental contributions insufficient without evidence of broader prospective impact.

Engineer with sales and management experience seeking NIW for consulting company focused on electrical engineering and US-South American business facilitation. Meets EB-2 advanced degree requirement but fails to establish national importance of proposed endeavor; economic impact not sufficiently demonstrated. Appeal dismissed.

Exercise physiologist entrepreneur sought NIW for fitness company offering classes to general and special-needs populations. AAO affirmed denial, finding benefits lacked national importance; impacts limited to direct service users and employees without broader field implications.

Marketing manager seeking EB-2 NIW for startup marketing consultancy. AAO affirmed director's finding that endeavor lacked national importance; breadth of implications limited to petitioner's company and clients without broader regional or field-wide impact.

A business individual sought NIW for EB-2 exceptional ability classification. Petitioner claimed business endeavor would benefit the United States. The AAO dismissed based on derogatory evidence that an affiliated entity supplied spyware to hostile governments, and Entity List designation imposing export control constraints, undermining all three Dhanasar prongs.

Self-petitioner, organizational development specialist proposing supply chain management and logistics consulting, sought EB-2 with NIW. AAO affirmed denial on national importance; petitioner's experience and expert letter on occupation importance insufficient; specific business endeavor lacks broader implications.

Data analytics specialist with advanced degree sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. The AAO found her proposed work lacked national importance because evidence did not show impact beyond her future employer and clients on the IT industry, data analytics field, or broader economy at national level.

Special education teacher sought EB-2 national interest waiver for proposed teaching work. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to establish national importance of her specific proposed endeavor; shortage in special education field and generic work did not demonstrate broader implications or substantial positive economic effects required.

Marketing and communication vice president seeks NIW for EB-2. Claimed proposed endeavor promotes economic growth and onshoring in textile industry. AAO held the work lacks national importance; promoting existing technologies to current and prospective customers does not impact industry or field more broadly.

A dentist sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. The AAO affirmed denial because although she qualified as an advanced degree professional, her proposed dental practice lacked national importance; work within a single practice or clinic did not impact the dental field broadly.

Veterinary assistant seeking NIW for self-employment opening veterinary clinic. Director found first Dhanasar prong met but AAO reversed, finding clinic lacks national importance and petitioner not well-positioned with insufficient planning, unclear location, and no progress documentation.

Physical therapist and entrepreneur sought NIW for EB-2 advanced degree classification to operate home health care company. Petitioner proposed employment in economically depressed areas. AAO dismissed because specific endeavor failed national importance requirement; field importance alone insufficient without demonstrated prospective economic impact or field advancement.

Registered nurse self-petitioner sought NIW for healthcare consulting and education business. AAO found endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance; acknowledged healthcare industry importance but held that petitioner's specific business impact does not extend beyond customers to broader nursing field.

Pipeline engineer seeks NIW for EB-2 advanced degree classification in oil and gas industry. Fails first Dhanasar prong: undefined endeavor as independent consultant or unspecified employee lacks specific national importance; importance of occupation and industry cannot substitute for documented specific endeavor impact.

Nurse with Brazilian degree and twelve years experience sought EB-2 advanced degree classification with national interest waiver for unspecified nursing position. Director found advanced degree qualification and substantial merit but denied waiver. AAO affirmed, distinguishing between healthcare field importance and petitioner's specific endeavor, which lacked demonstrated national health or economic implications.

Logistician sought exceptional ability classification with national interest waiver. AAO affirmed denial because proposed endeavor lacked national importance under Dhanasar; role maintaining current employment and serving employer clients insufficient, lacking national or global implications or significant broader field impact.

Physiotherapist sought EB-2 NIW. Director found substantial merit and second prong established but national importance absent. Petitioner reiterated same evidence and arguments on appeal without new support. AAO affirmed national importance was not established; benefits limited to specific institution.

A financial analyst sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. The AAO found she did not qualify as an advanced degree professional or individual of exceptional ability, lacking required work experience and failing to meet three evidentiary criteria. The appeal was dismissed without reaching the Dhanasar framework's second and third prongs.