Published AAO appeal decisions

Event planner sought EB-2 with national interest waiver for a consultancy firm in event planning and training. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to establish national importance; the business impact was limited to the company and its clients with no demonstrated industry-wide influence or substantial economic effect.

A senior lead consultant sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification with a national interest waiver. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner met only one of the needed three exceptional ability criteria, with salary and recognition evidence insufficient. It therefore did not reach the waiver analysis under the Dhanasar framework.

A business legal consultant self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability. She claimed eight criteria but the AAO found she did not meet the minimum three evidentiary criteria and lacked sustained national or international acclaim or a place among the small percentage at the top of her field.

Petitioner seeks NIW as EB-2 member with advanced degree, proposing to provide real estate consulting services through his company. SCOPS found substantial merit but denied national importance and waiver. AAO upheld dismissal, finding petitioner failed to demonstrate broader field or economic impact rising to national importance level.

Aging services manager with recent advanced degree seeks EB-2 NIW to advance elder care nationally. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to establish that proposed endeavor has national importance or that she is well-positioned to advance it; lacks innovation evidence, customer interest, or realized progress.

Supply chain consultant with advanced degree sought EB-2 classification and NIW. Petitioner claimed substantial merit and national importance of proposed supply chain consulting business. AAO agreed substantial merit established but found record did not demonstrate national importance; business impact limited to individual clients without broader economic or field-wide implications.

Technology company petitioned for senior director in customer experience as EB-1A extraordinary ability. Employer established at least three evidentiary criteria, but AAO found limited, recent evidence does not demonstrate sustained acclaim or placement among small percentage at top of field; appeal dismissed.

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 business administrator sought EB-2 classification as advanced degree professional or person of exceptional ability, plus NIW. SCOPS denied both. The AAO remanded, finding SCOPS misrepresented the record, confused two separate petitions, and did not provide meaningful opportunity to contest. No opinion on ultimate merits.

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.