Published AAO appeal decisions

A business and logistics specialist sought EB-2 NIW for work in the import-export industry. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance because it showed only employer-specific cost reduction, not broader field impact or documented job creation potential.

Entrepreneur in cargo transportation and logistics sought EB-2 NIW as exceptional ability individual. AAO held petitioner met only one of six required criteria for exceptional ability and withdrew membership finding; appeal dismissed as petitioner ineligible for underlying classification.

Administrative services manager/entrepreneur seeks EB-2 NIW as individual of exceptional ability. Petitioner met three of six regulatory criteria but failed to demonstrate expertise significantly above ordinary in field. AAO affirmed dismissal on grounds petitioner lacks required exceptional ability classification; NIW analysis not reached.

Procurement coordinator sought EB-2 NIW for work optimizing supply chains at unspecified U.S. companies. AAO held the proposed endeavor lacks national importance; it benefits only the employer and clients, not the industry or economy broadly. Service center denial sustained.

A quality control manager sought EB-2 classification with NIW. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance and the petitioner was not well positioned to advance it. Hospitality experience did not support consulting business claims without demonstrated progress or contracts.

Business management and restructuring consultant sought EB-2 NIW. AAO dismissed appeal, affirming Director's finding that proposed consulting endeavor lacked national importance under Dhanasar. Petitioner's focus on personal experience and general business optimization methodology did not establish particularized impact.

A business consultant with master's degree seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver to consult small and medium-sized Latino-owned businesses. AAO held the specific endeavor lacks national importance because evidence addresses industry importance, not the proposed business consulting's broader field impact.

Management consulting firm petitioned for beneficiary's EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Beneficiary met three evidentiary criteria (judging, scholarly articles, critical role) but AAO found evidence totality did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field.

Advanced degree holder and entrepreneur seeking NIW for business consulting through company providing services including blood management consulting. Established substantial merit but failed to demonstrate national importance. Revenue projections and staffing plans insufficient; endeavor impact limited to specific clients and businesses.

HR and organizational development consultant with advanced degree sought NIW as EB-2 professional. AAO dismissed, finding field importance does not establish national importance of specific proposed endeavor; petitioner presented new evidence on appeal but failed to demonstrate prospective impact beyond prospective clients.

A CEO with AI and software expertise sought NIW as EB-2. The service center approved his advanced degree status but denied the waiver, finding no evidence the endeavor transcends personal clients to achieve national significance. The AAO affirmed, distinguishing petitioner's qualifications from the endeavor's prospective impact requirement.

An entrepreneur seeking EB-2 exceptional ability and national interest waiver for a transportation services business. The AAO affirmed that the proposed endeavor lacked national importance under Dhanasar's first prong because it would benefit only the petitioner's customers without broader industry implications or substantial economic effects commensurate with national importance.

A consultant sought EB-2 classification with a national interest waiver for a business providing marketing and digital services to disadvantaged small businesses. The AAO affirmed denial, finding the endeavor lacks national importance despite industry articles establishing merit; services benefit only immediate clients without broader implications for the field.

A furniture business owner and chief executive sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming lesser awards, a leading role and high salary. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the awards criterion was not established, three criteria were not shown, and the record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.

A human resources specialist sought EB-2 NIW for a proposed HR consulting company offering diversity and inclusion workshops. The AAO dismissed, holding the endeavor lacks national importance because services to individual clients and companies, despite focus on vulnerable populations, lack prospective impact on field or national scale.

Self-petitioner business manager seeks EB-2 NIW to transform struggling companies through management consulting. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance; petitioner's skills relate to second prong, but specific endeavor shows no prospective impact beyond clients or substantial regional or national economic effects.

Entrepreneur business consultant seeks EB-2 NIW. Failed to meet three required regulatory criteria for exceptional ability, including licensure, certification, and professional association membership. AAO found insufficient expertise level and did not reach NIW framework prongs.

Chief financial officer and logistics manager sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification and NIW. AAO affirmed director's finding that petitioner met only one of six required criteria and lacked degree of expertise above field ordinary level.

Business consulting entrepreneur seeking EB-2 NIW to open management consulting office in Florida. Claimed job creation and economic benefit to underserved community with national importance. AAO held endeavor lacks sufficient prospective impact on field and economy to establish national importance despite local economic intent.

An airline pilot and CEO founded a pilot training company in Slovakia and sought NIW as EB-2 to open a U.S. branch. The service center found insufficient evidence of national importance and denied both EB-2 eligibility and waiver. The AAO affirmed on the national importance ground, finding local economic benefit insufficient.

Entrepreneur seeks EB-2 with NIW for financial and pricing consulting startup. Claimed endeavor would elevate industry standards and create regional jobs. AAO held first prong unmet: generalized statements without objective evidence; business projections lack substantiation of national economic benefits or field transformation.

A training consultant proposed operating a firm addressing IT and STEM workforce shortages through training and subcontracting services. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding petitioner failed to establish national importance despite addressing general labor market needs, lacking evidence that one firm would impact the industry broadly or generate substantial economic benefits.

Entrepreneur with advanced degree sought national interest waiver to establish management consulting firm for law firms and businesses. AAO held the proposed endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance because it lacks demonstrated substantial economic benefits or broader field impact beyond individual clients.

A security consultant sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification with a national interest waiver to establish a private security consulting business. The AAO dismissed, finding the proposed endeavor lacks national importance despite the petitioner's skills and Brazilian law enforcement background; no sufficiently direct connection to nationally important impact.