Published AAO appeal decisions

Entrepreneur owning a Florida business with advanced degree in finance seeks NIW for EB-2 classification. Petitioner claimed his endeavor to support small businesses and train single mothers has national importance. AAO found substantial merit but dismissed because the specific endeavor lacks national importance; general economic activity in business field insufficient.

An entrepreneur seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver for an IT consulting business. Claimed the venture would create 43 jobs in economically depressed areas. AAO dismissed, finding the business plan lacked credible projections and the proposed endeavor's economic impact did not rise to national importance.

Entrepreneur with recent foreign degree sought EB-2 NIW for independent logistics business venture. AAO dismissed appeal, finding applicant lacked advanced degree or exceptional ability status and proposed endeavor lacked national importance, with only incremental economic benefits.

A marketing consultant with advanced degree sought EB-2 NIW to establish marketing consultancy in the United States. The AAO found substantial merit but dismissed because she failed to show national importance. Her fifth-year revenue and employment projections were insufficient; focus must be specific endeavor impact, not field importance.

A logistician seeks exceptional ability classification and a national interest waiver. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner did not contest the director's finding that he failed to establish EB-2 eligibility, forfeiting the issue on appeal and making NIW analysis unnecessary.

Automobile repair and rental shop manager seeks NIW for EB-2 classification as individual of exceptional ability. Petitioner claimed four exceptional ability criteria but satisfied only one: ten years experience. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to meet minimum threshold of three criteria; NIW analysis reserved as ineligible for underlying EB-2 classification.

Managing consultant seeks national interest waiver for nonprofit consulting company serving homelessness and income inequality. AAO affirmed denial: despite substantial merit, endeavor lacks evidence of national importance; insufficient projections of regions, projects, or employment impact.

An online education entrepreneur sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification and national interest waiver. The AAO found the petitioner met only one of six exceptional ability criteria and therefore was ineligible for the underlying EB-2 classification. NIW analysis was declined as the petitioner was ineligible for EB-2. Appeal dismissed.

Woman seeking EB-2 NIW to operate business providing services for disadvantaged women claimed substantial merit for gender equality initiatives. AAO held specific proposed endeavor lacked national importance; local South Carolina benefits and $155K first-year revenue insufficient.

Tourism director from Ministry of Commerce seeks EB-2 advanced degree professional and national interest waiver. AAO found petitioner failed first Dhanasar prong: no sufficiently detailed or specific proposed endeavor identified. Appeal dismissed.

Operations manager sought NIW, describing proposed endeavor variously as general corporate optimization and then sustainable fast-casual dining. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to consistently articulate the endeavor's nature, making analysis under Dhanasar framework impossible.

Physical fitness entrepreneur seeking EB-2 national interest waiver. Claimed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance through job creation and economic benefits. AAO found substantial merit but no national importance because evidence did not demonstrate broader field impact or adequate economic scale.

Entrepreneur in real estate construction sought EB-2 NIW. Director found advanced degree but denied waiver. AAO affirmed: proposed endeavor had merit but lacked national importance; expanding company and creating jobs in affordable housing insufficient to demonstrate prospective impact beyond petitioner's own operations.

A legal consultant qualified for EB-2 advanced degree seeks NIW to own and operate legal consulting company serving clients in Brazil. AAO found petitioner failed Dhanasar first prong; proposed business lacks national importance and general business administration generalizations insufficient to demonstrate specific endeavor impact.

Security manager self-petitioned for EB-2 NIW. AAO affirmed denial, finding proposed security endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance; applicant's personal expertise and experience relate to second prong, not the endeavor's prospective impact.

Security management specialist-entrepreneur sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. AAO affirmed denial of waiver. While finding substantial merit, AAO held endeavor lacked national importance; no corroborating evidence of broad economic or industry impact.

Pharmaceutical logistics consultant seeks EB-2 national interest waiver for proposed endeavor improving clinical trial operations. AAO affirmed director's finding that petitioner failed to establish national importance; specific endeavor lacked sufficient detail and supporting evidence of economic impact beyond regional clients.

Accountant with advanced degree sought NIW to own and operate accounting firm. AAO affirmed Director's finding that the proposed endeavor lacks national importance, as projected hiring and local community impact do not reach the level contemplated by Dhanasar. Appeal dismissed.

Proofreader and localization manager seeking NIW for EB-2 advanced degree classification to establish localization services business. AAO held petitioner did not demonstrate national importance, as endeavor lacks broader impact beyond business operations and targeted clients.

Supply chain specialist seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver. Petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance of proposed endeavor; work lacked broad implications beyond specific employer. Appeal dismissed.

Entrepreneur in transportation sales seeks EB-2 advanced degree and NIW for management consulting firm providing sales and hiring services. AAO affirmed denial because proposed endeavor lacks national importance despite alignment with federal infrastructure initiatives; merely local optimization insufficient.

Business manager sought NIW as EB-2 advanced degree professional. AAO dismissed appeal, affirming director's determination that while endeavor had substantial merit, applicant failed to demonstrate national importance under Dhanasar, lacking evidence of projected economic impact or job creation beyond individual company benefit.

Executive chef with foreign bachelor's degree sought EB-2 NIW claiming the endeavor would innovate Italian cuisine in U.S. establishments. The AAO dismissed because she focused on occupational importance rather than her specific endeavor's prospective impact; preparing food for direct customers lacks broader field implications required by Dhanasar.

Legal analyst and entrepreneur sought NIW for EB-2 advanced degree classification to establish real estate investment consultancy without job offer. AAO dismissed appeal because the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; it would not impact the field broadly or produce substantial economic effects beyond the company and its clients.

Petitioner sought EB-2 NIW for business consulting startup. Director denied, found advanced degree but no national importance. AAO affirmed: generalized industry information insufficient; specific endeavor lacked national or global implications; job creation claims unsubstantiated.