Published AAO appeal decisions

A supply chain manager sought NIW for EB-2 classification. The AAO held the proposed endeavor lacks national importance: assertions about Brazilian market trade and general supply chain management benefits do not demonstrate impact beyond the employer, and vague speculation about innovations without evidence of broader adoption or comparable responsibility elsewhere is insufficient.

Marketing manager with advanced degree sought NIW for EB-2. Petitioner proposed providing marketing and business development services for Brazil-U.S. market connections. AAO found proposed endeavor lacked national importance and specific prospective impact, and declined to address remaining Dhanasar prongs.

A security advisor seeks NIW for EB-2 claiming a security management and counterterrorism role of national importance. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner did not sufficiently demonstrate that the specific proposed endeavor has national importance beyond general field significance; evidence of prospective impact was insufficient.

An employer petitioned for O-1A classification for a chief executive officer in culinary development. AAO affirmed revocation of initial approval, finding beneficiary failed to meet extraordinary ability criteria. Award lacked documentation of national or international recognition; business contributions did not demonstrate major significance.

Business consultant with 25 years experience in Brazilian market entry seeks NIW for consultancy services to North American firms. AAO dismissed appeal, finding endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance; proposed work impacts individual clients only, not the field broadly.

CEO and fire protection company owner seeks NIW as EB-2 advanced degree professional. Claimed substantial merit and national importance of fire protection business operations. AAO affirmed Director's finding of substantial merit but denied national importance; work does not demonstrate significant impact on industry broadly or substantial economic benefits to region or nation.

CEO of retail services company sought EB-1A classification. Claimed awards, membership, and leading role criteria. AAO affirmed director finding of only one criterion met. Record lacks evidence of national or international acclaim or place among top echelon of field required.

Architectural project manager seeking national interest waiver. Director found substantial merit but denied on national importance grounds. AAO affirmed; petitioner failed to demonstrate proposed work would extend beyond employer and clients or offer innovations advancing the architectural or engineering fields.

Global supply chain director seeks NIW to work with small U.S. companies serving the aerospace sector. Petitioner claimed proposed endeavor has national importance. AAO affirmed denial, finding the specific endeavor lacks national importance; economic benefits limited to particular employers or clients without broader field implications.

A marketing manager sought NIW as EB-2. The AAO found he lacked the advanced degree requirement and failed the first Dhanasar prong: his proposed marketing work lacked national importance despite general industry need. Appeal dismissed.

Business executive and luxury furniture company co-founder self-petitioner claimed three criteria. AAO found two criteria met but concluded aggregate evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained acclaim or extraordinary ability required for EB-1A classification.

Self-petitioner marketing and management professional seeking NIW for small business consulting startup in Florida. Claimed substantial merit and national importance under Dhanasar. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed consulting work lacks national importance; insufficient evidence of substantial economic benefits beyond company and future clientele.

A finance minority business coach sought EB-1A. Met judging and leading critical role criteria. Additional claims for awards, membership, and published material rejected. Only two of three required criteria satisfied. No sustained national acclaim or top-field status demonstrated despite claimed contributions.

Business executive and consulting company CEO seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed four criteria beyond leading role already established by Director. AAO found only leading role criterion met, rejected awards and published material claims, and concluded insufficient evidence of placement among top of field.

Event management professional claimed five criteria on appeal after Director found only one met. AAO rejected membership and published material; found petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim or position among top of field.

Human resources manager seeking EB-2 NIW to continue HR career with various employers. Petitioner claimed substantial merit and national importance of proposed endeavor. AAO held first Dhanasar prong unmet: HR management lacks national importance and does not impact field or economy broadly; second and third prongs not reached.

Product manager and consultant claimed five EB-1A criteria. Director found only judging criterion met; AAO affirmed. Published material criterion failed due to PR involvement and non-major media outlets. Other claimed criteria not substantively analyzed. Final merits finding against petitioner: record showed successful career progression but not top-tier sustained acclaim required.

Self-petitioner chief operating officer seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met three evidentiary criteria: judging, scholarly articles, and leading critical role. AAO dismissed appeal, finding insufficient sustained national or international acclaim and recognition to demonstrate extraordinary ability at top-tier level.

Industrial lubricants entrepreneur and company founder satisfied three evidentiary criteria on initial review. However, AAO found on final merits that petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among top field practitioners.

Philanthropist and foundation president in China seeks EB-1A. Met judging criterion with two speech contests. Claimed published material, original contributions, and leading role. AAO found published material lacked corroboration and major medium status; original contributions not shown to be major or field-impacting. Appeal dismissed.

A firearms company sought extraordinary ability classification for its chief financial officer with prior international banking experience. AAO dismissed the appeal, finding beneficiary met only two of six claimed criteria and lacked evidence of sustained national acclaim or top-tier status.

Attorney petitioner for management analyst beneficiary claimed four criteria; Director found two met. AAO affirmed only two met and rejected original contributions and leading critical role findings; appeal dismissed as threshold three criteria not satisfied.

Entrepreneur and founder of luxury automobile club in China claiming extraordinary ability in business. Claimed three criteria on appeal: judging, original contributions, and others already met. AAO dismissed, finding only two criteria met, below the three required, and no sustained international acclaim or top percentile achievement.

Vice president of talent acquisition sought EB-1A. Petitioner met two criteria (leading role, high salary) but AAO found insufficient for third required criterion. Award and membership claims rejected: inaugural conference award lacked established reputation, professional certification not equivalent to association membership. Appeal dismissed.

A construction manager and vice president in China sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner met only published material and leading role criteria but failed awards and original contributions claims due to factual inconsistencies and lack of field-wide impact.