Published AAO appeal decisions

An international commercial manager sought employer-sponsored EB-2 NIW claiming expertise in logistics and international markets. The AAO dismissed the appeal because petitioner established substantial merit but failed to demonstrate national importance; her proposed endeavor lacked broader industry impact and she provided no explanation of specific implementation methods.

Business manager seeking NIW for EB-2 classification. Petitioner claimed endeavor would boost economic growth through job creation and supply chain support. AAO held proposed work lacks national importance; claimed benefits do not demonstrate prospective impact at requisite national level.

Administrative manager working in food importation and real estate sought NIW as EB-2 advanced degree holder. AAO dismissed appeal because proposed endeavor lacked national importance; staffing projections and HUBZone location insufficient without evidence services would extend beyond company clients to impact field broadly.

Administrative assistant from Brazil seeks EB-2 with NIW to work as business manager in multiple industries. AAO held her proposed endeavor lacks national importance because it benefits only her employers and does not impact her field broadly, failing the first Dhanasar prong.

Petitioner proposed cargo transportation and logistics consulting business under EB-2 NIW. AAO affirmed dismissal, finding substantial merit but no national importance; assertions alone insufficient; work would benefit immediate clients and critical infrastructure, not demonstrate broader field implications.

A process engineering project manager seeks an NIW for EB-2 classification. He claimed his proposed endeavor optimizing financial processes has national importance. The AAO affirmed the director's finding that the record lacks evidence of national importance; his work describes typical project management duties without prospective impact rising to national level.

A CEO and entrepreneur self-petitioner claiming national interest waiver under EB-2. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance because it offered only localized client benefits without broader implications, job creation potential, or substantial economic effects required by Dhanasar framework.

An e-commerce entrepreneur with advanced degree sought EB-2 NIW classification. Director found substantial merit but no national importance. On appeal, petitioner argued national importance through dropshipping technique dissemination but provided insufficient evidence of prospective impact beyond his specific company.

A human resources professional sought national interest waiver for HR consulting services to small and medium businesses. The AAO found the endeavor has substantial merit and the petitioner qualifies as advanced degree professional, but the record lacks evidence of national importance, showing only benefits to direct clients.

Project manager sought EB-2 NIW for asset management consulting business serving small and medium businesses. AAO found substantial merit in endeavor but no national importance; evidence of industry shortage and professional network support did not establish prospective impact beyond individual clients or substantial employment or economic effects.

Tourism industry consultant sought EB-2 with NIW. AAO held petitioner established EB-2 eligibility as advanced degree professional with substantial merit for proposed endeavor but failed to show national importance; consulting services lack broader implications beyond specific clients.

An entrepreneur seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver for a consulting firm providing channel management and sales force effectiveness services. AAO affirmed dismissal because petitioner failed to establish national importance despite having substantial merit; claimed job creation and economic benefits were not adequately documented as substantially exceeding typical small business operations.

A petitioner proposes to provide consulting and marketing services to automotive companies to improve profitability and processes. AAO held the proposed endeavor lacks national importance because submitted articles address industry importance, not the specific endeavor's national or global impact, and petitioner failed to demonstrate benefits rising to national significance.

Entrepreneur with supervisory and management experience sought NIW for exceptional ability classification. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to meet the three exceptional ability criteria and, on final merits, did not demonstrate expertise significantly above peers. National importance of proposed endeavor was also unestablished.

A business manager sought NIW for pharmaceutical distribution work. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance; it showed no broader implications in business management or pharmaceutical distribution beyond serving specific clients.

Construction operations manager sought EB-2 national interest waiver for project management business. AAO dismissed, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance; petitioner's construction experience and business plan projecting eight new jobs insufficient to show impact beyond company and clients or substantial economic effects.

General operations manager sought NIW to own and operate virtual specialty food distribution market. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner failed to establish national importance; proposed endeavor lacked evidence of broader impact on industry, business formation, or substantial economic effects beyond her company.

Specialist in automotive paintless dent repair seeks NIW for EB-2 exceptional ability classification to operate repair facility. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner failed to meet three of six evidentiary criteria for exceptional ability; expertise does not stand out in field; NIW eligibility thus not reached.

Entrepreneur sought EB-2 national interest waiver for refrigeration equipment sales and service business. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance: generalized industry information irrelevant; employment of eighteen workers and local benefits insufficient to demonstrate broader implications or substantial national economic effects.

Human resources manager sought EB-2 with NIW to own and operate HR consulting firm as CEO. AAO affirmed denial, finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance; credentials and business projections do not demonstrate impact beyond prospective clients and company.

Entrepreneur from Brazil seeking EB-2 as individual of exceptional ability for private security firm. Failed to meet underlying EB-2 exceptional ability requirement; lacked direct experience as chief executive of security firm and credentials above field norm.

A human resources management specialist sought EB-2 classification as a person of exceptional ability plus a national interest waiver. The AAO found she met only two of six exceptional-ability criteria; appeal dismissed without reaching national interest waiver analysis.

An area manager/operational director seeks EB-2 NIW for work in hotel industry expansion in Texas, citing 80% sector growth and federal hospitality initiatives. AAO held the proposed endeavor lacks national importance because petitioner failed to show specific endeavor provides substantial economic benefits and broader implications beyond individual business expansion.

A business manager with advanced degree seeks NIW for EB-2 classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding substantial merit in her proposed business consulting endeavor but no national importance because typical business management duties lack broader implications and she provided only generalizations about economic effects.

Professional with advanced degree sought NIW for EB-2 classification to provide environmental and occupational health advisory services without job offer. AAO dismissed appeal because proposed endeavor lacked national importance; petitioner made unsupported claims of alignment with government priorities without evidence of field-wide impact or substantial economic benefits.