Published AAO appeal decisions

Materials scientist with doctorate claimed four criteria and satisfied three: judging, scholarly articles, and leading role. AAO dismissed appeal, finding evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement in the small percentage at the field's top.

Chemical engineer seeking EB-2 NIW to start U.S. consulting company. Claimed extensive petrochemical industry experience and customer interest demonstrate national importance and economic impact. AAO held specific proposed endeavor lacks national importance; prior work experience and customer letters relate to second prong, not national importance of proposed venture itself.

A materials engineering researcher proposed computational modeling research to improve additive manufacturing processes and sought a national interest waiver. The AAO agreed the endeavor has substantial merit but held national importance was not shown, since the evidence did not demonstrate prospective impact. It dismissed the appeal and reserved the remaining prongs.

A materials scientist with expertise in polymer science and sustainable materials met three initial criteria but failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier status. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the totality of evidence insufficient for extraordinary ability.

A chemist and postdoctoral researcher sought EB-2 national interest waiver for research on high-performance materials for energy conversion. The AAO found the proposed endeavor met the first Dhanasar prong but the petitioner was not well positioned to advance it due to lack of demonstrated success and institutional support. The appeal was dismissed.

A synthetic organic chemist met at least three initial EB-1A criteria but failed the final merits step. AAO found his judging experience and publications insufficient to show he rose to the very top of the field or enjoyed sustained national or international acclaim.

Process engineer with master's degree in chemistry seeks NIW for research optimizing manufacturing of paper and polymer composites for sustainable energy. AAO held the proposed endeavor lacks national importance under Dhanasar first prong; working in important field is insufficient without demonstrating specific endeavor's broad prospective impact.

Chemical engineer self-petitioner sought NIW for EB-2 advanced degree classification. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner failed to establish national importance of proposed endeavor due to vague, inconsistent description of multiple different jobs, and failed to show he was well positioned to advance any coherent endeavor without demonstrated government interest or fellowship offer.

A principal scientist in chemistry claimed five criteria but satisfied only two. The AAO found published material did not meet regulatory requirements and citation metrics alone do not demonstrate contributions of major significance. Appeal dismissed for failing to establish three qualifying criteria.

A research and development engineer in textile materials science sought a national interest waiver for work on durable protective textiles. The AAO agreed the endeavor has merit and national importance but dismissed the appeal because education, publications, citations and letters did not show he was well positioned to advance it; the balancing prong was reserved.

Physical chemist seeks NIW for research on surface science machines and heterogeneous catalysis for clean energy. Substantial merit established but national importance not demonstrated. Petitioner presented general field importance and air quality statistics but failed to show specific prospective impact of proposed endeavor. Appeal dismissed.

A cosmetics expert claimed extraordinary ability through seven criteria. The petitioner established judging and scholarly articles but failed awards and published material. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the record insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required for the classification.

Chemical engineering graduate student seeks NIW for research designing materials for PFAS water purification. AAO found first prong met but rejected second prong, concluding citations and publications alone insufficient to show field influence and well-positioning.