Published AAO appeal decisions

A public diplomacy professional claimed seven extraordinary ability criteria but met only membership. AAO dismissed the appeal, finding petitioner satisfied only one initial criterion and did not reach final merits, as threshold requirements were not met.

Advanced degree professional in aviation safety sought NIW for endeavor providing safety training and consultancy to airlines. AAO found no demonstrated national importance: articles on aviation safety importance insufficient; petitioner failed to show specific endeavor methods would have national implications or create substantial U.S. economic impact. Appeal dismissed.

Pharmacist seeking extraordinary ability classification in business based on plan to launch online pharmaceutical safety company. AAO found three criteria met but concluded totality of record lacks sustained national or international acclaim or evidence of top-tier status required for EB-1A.

A self-petitioning business owner sought a national interest waiver with EB-2 classification. After the denial, appeal and earlier motions were dismissed, she filed a motion to reopen. The AAO dismissed it because it offered no new facts backed by documents addressing the prior dismissal, and the merits of the waiver were not reached.

Entrepreneur in teambuilding and business development sought EB-2 NIW to establish consulting firm. AAO found endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance. Petitioner failed to demonstrate prospective impact extending beyond individual consulting services to show substantial economic effects or broader field implications.

Labor relations expert and entrepreneur seeks EB-2 with national interest waiver for consulting firm. AAO found substantial merit but no national importance because impact limited to individual client organizations, not broader field or economy. Appeal dismissed on first Dhanasar prong.

Decision addresses EB-2 exceptional ability classification with NIW request, not NIW under Dhanasar framework as stated in visa attribute. Petitioner failed to meet three-criterion threshold for exceptional ability; NIW determination not reached. Appeal dismissed.

Food processing business manager and co-founder seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed multiple criteria including awards, membership, published material, judging, original contributions, and exhibitions. AAO found only published material criterion met; one of three required criteria insufficient to satisfy initial evidence requirement.

SAP consultant self-petitioned for EB-2 NIW seeking to optimize enterprise solutions for small and medium enterprises. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance despite its substantial merit; consulting services to individual clients lack the broad prospective impact required.

A cultural diplomacy expert with master's degrees in public administration and peace studies seeks extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found the petitioner submitted minimal or no credible evidence for any criterion, relying on unsupported assertions rather than documentation. Appeal dismissed.

Product manager sought EB-1A classification. Did not receive major internationally recognized award and failed to satisfy three alternate criteria: awards lacked national recognition, contributions not shown original or major, leading role evidence insufficient.

Operations and procurement analyst from Venezuela with bachelor's degree seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner failed to demonstrate major award and satisfied none of three required evidentiary criteria; lacks sustained acclaim.

A corporate executive sought EB-1A classification claiming seven criteria but abandoned most on appeal. The AAO dismissed, finding only one criterion met and insufficient evidence of high salary or additional achievements, concluding the executive failed to demonstrate the sustained acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Chief executive officer and entrepreneur filed second motion to reopen EB-1A extraordinary ability petition. AAO dismissed motions because applicant neither provided documentary evidence of new facts nor demonstrated legal error in prior decision; applicant merely reargued issues already decided.

Chief architect of digital transformations met three initial evidentiary criteria and demonstrated acclaim and recognition in his field. However, AAO found he was very good but not among the small percentage at the very top, dismissing the appeal.

Associate director in international supply chain operations seeking EB-2 national interest waiver. Service center found advanced degree qualification but denied waiver. AAO affirmed, holding that supply chain management work, despite general field importance, does not demonstrate specific national importance under Dhanasar first prong.

A debt recovery and fraud prevention specialist claimed five EB-1A criteria but satisfied only one on appeal. The AAO affirmed denials of membership and published material criteria and withdrew the high-salary finding. With insufficient criteria met, final merits analysis was not reached.

Professional with advanced degree in geodetic engineering sought EB-2 NIW for co-living management system for senior citizens. Proposed endeavor has substantial merit addressing housing and aging issues, but petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance; impact limited to end users without evidence of broader field transformation or economic benefits.

An electric vehicle automotive business strategist with eighteen years' experience in Venezuela and Colombia self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner met four evidentiary criteria but AAO upheld denial, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or placement among small percentage at field's very top.

Entrepreneur and investor seeking extraordinary ability in business. Claimed judging, leading critical role, and original contributions. AAO affirmed judging was met but found leading role unsupported and reserved original contributions. Petitioner failed to meet required three-criterion threshold, so appeal dismissed.

A meat industry executive and business owner sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification with national interest waiver. The AAO found he did not meet the underlying EB-2 requirement and did not analyze the NIW prong, reserving it as unnecessary after finding him ineligible for the base classification.

A CEO and founder of a U.S. corporation sought EB-1A classification based on extraordinary ability in business. Although meeting published material criterion, the AAO affirmed SCOPS finding that evidence lacked the sustained national or international acclaim and recognition required to place petitioner among the small percentage at the very top of the field.

A CFO and entrepreneur in real estate development with an advanced degree sought a national interest waiver. The AAO dismissed the appeal, holding the proposed endeavor of developing residential and commercial properties has substantial merit but lacks national importance; it benefits the applicant's clientele without demonstrating broader economic or field impact.

Human resources specialist seeks EB-2 NIW claiming innovative HR methodologies would benefit U.S. business landscape and job creation. AAO affirmed denial because while endeavor has substantial merit, petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance through specific prospective impact or connection to broader national implications.

Business management consultant with advanced degree seeks NIW. Petitioner claimed proposed management consulting services support federal priorities and address industry shortage. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks sufficient evidence of national importance, broader field implications, or substantial economic effects required under Dhanasar first prong.