Published AAO appeal decisions

Marketing consultant entrepreneur sought EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO affirmed dismissal, finding her proposed marketing consulting services lacked national importance under Dhanasar's first prong; the endeavor's benefits would not extend beyond her company and clientele to impact the field or economy broadly.

A financial officer holding an advanced degree sought EB-2 with NIW, proposing to serve as CFO of supply chain consulting company. The AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; projected economic benefits and individual company engagement insufficient to meet national importance standard.

Entrepreneur in business and corporate law sought EB-2 NIW. Appeal dismissed on signature deficiency and failure to establish national importance; petitioner focused broadly on energy investment industry rather than specific endeavor, without proving impact beyond secondary effects in narrow area.

Franchise and business management consultant sought NIW to work as entrepreneur providing consulting services. AAO held petition failed because proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance; generalized economic benefits and small business support insufficient without evidence of broader field impact or substantial economic effects.

Health auditor and entrepreneur with advanced degrees in education, business, and health administration seeks NIW for EB-2. Proposed consulting firm improving workplace health environments. AAO held proposed endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance; merely working in important field is insufficient without demonstrating specific endeavor's broader impact.

Artist manager who is founder and CEO of an organization seeks EB-1A classification. He claimed to meet three evidentiary criteria. The AAO found he met published material and leading role criteria but not high salary. Because he did not meet the initial requirement of three criteria, final merits analysis showed he lacks sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

A beverage bottling industry business developer sought EB-2 classification with NIW. The AAO dismissed, finding the proposed quality consulting endeavor lacked national importance, as it was limited to client work in manufacturing efficiency without demonstrated broader implications for the bottling industry.

Advanced degree professional proposed to serve as master consultant in human management and corporate wellness, particularly for healthcare workers. AAO found the endeavor has substantial merit but lacks evidence of national importance, failing the first prong of the Dhanasar test for NIW eligibility.

Trade finance and operations management entrepreneur filed for EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner failed to show his proposed consulting company would have prospective impact rising to national importance; establishing an SME consulting service in HUBZone areas, without demonstrated substantial economic benefits, does not meet Dhanasar prong one.

Real estate entrepreneur sought EB-2 advanced degree classification and NIW. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner failed to demonstrate five years progressive post-baccalaureate experience in specialty; employment letters lacked required employer details and did not show progressive experience.

A project manager sought EB-2 NIW to start a management consulting company. Although meeting underlying EB-2 eligibility, the AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed the first Dhanasar prong: consulting services to individual clients lacked evidence of broader industry impact or national importance.

A business consultant seeking EB-2 with NIW, proposing to open a consulting company assisting Latin American women entrepreneurs with sustainable businesses. The AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed endeavor showed substantial merit but lacked national importance; serving individual clients insufficient for broader field impact.

A strategic business consultant self-petitioned for EB-2 NIW, claiming his consulting services to SMEs would boost market valuation and revenues. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance: he provided no concrete plan, economic projections, or evidence of prospective broad impact beyond serving individual clients.

A project manager seeking self-petitioned EB-2 NIW to operate his own rail maintenance procurement business claimed national importance. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to identify a specific proposed endeavor with sufficient detail regarding contracts, future plans, or business model to establish national importance.

A business manager and consultant with an advanced degree sought EB-2 NIW to establish a consulting company in financial education and business administration. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance, lacking evidence that the proposed endeavor would impact the fields more broadly beyond serving individual clients.

An operations manager at an e-commerce company claimed seven extraordinary ability criteria. The service center accepted judging and leading role. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the award not shown to be nationally recognized, membership abandoned, and the articles not in major media, leaving only two criteria and no final merits review.

Self-petitioner entrepreneur sought EB-2 NIW to open grocery store chain. AAO held proposed endeavor lacked national importance under Dhanasar; employment and revenue projections did not demonstrate substantial economic effects at regional or national level.

Entrepreneur seeking EB-2 classification and NIW for specialized logistics services in road transport. Petitioner claimed STEM field designation and endeavor supports American business management and planning. AAO held supply chain logistics important generally, but petitioner failed to demonstrate specific endeavor's potential to impact field at national importance level.

A business development specialist sought a national interest waiver for self-employment in business development consulting. The AAO affirmed dismissal, finding substantial merit in the field but no national importance because evidence lacked a detailed business plan and failed to demonstrate substantial economic effects at a national level.

Business development specialist proposes consulting services to U.S. companies in unspecified sectors emphasizing economic stimulation. Claimed national importance from field contributions and economic growth potential. AAO affirmed denial: professional plan lacks business projections, scope details, or evidence that local economic stimulation reaches substantial national-level impact threshold.

Business and marketing professional seeking EB-2 classification with national interest waiver for marketing and business consulting firm. Qualified as advanced degree professional but failed first Dhanasar prong. AAO found firm would not employ substantial U.S. workers or create significant economic impact beyond serving own clientele.

Security consulting entrepreneur filed for EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance of proposed HUBZone consulting business; vague endeavor description, absence of evidence on projected staffing, job creation, and substantial economic benefits prevent satisfaction of Dhanasar prong one.

A security management specialist seeks EB-2 exceptional ability classification and national interest waiver for a security services company addressing drug trafficking. The AAO dismissed, finding substantial merit but no national importance; the endeavor lacks broader industry impact and insufficient economic benefits.

A business administrator sought EB-2 with national interest waiver for business consulting services. While the AAO found substantial merit, it dismissed because the proposed work lacked national importance (limited to his own clients, no broader field or economic impact) and he was not shown to be well-positioned to advance the endeavor.

A facility manager sought EB-2 national interest waiver for proposed facility management and sustainability projects. While establishing substantial merit, he failed to demonstrate national importance under Dhanasar because the record lacked evidence of broader field implications, significant U.S. worker employment potential, or substantial positive economic effects beyond individual customer benefits.