Published AAO appeal decisions

Civil engineer seeking NIW for screen enclosure construction company in Florida. Claimed national importance through sustainable housing innovation and worker training. AAO held endeavor lacks national importance because it benefits only customers and lacks broader field implications, and training claims were unsupported speculation.

A civil engineer in sustainable development consulting seeks an EB-2 national interest waiver. The AAO affirmed the service center's denial because the petitioner did not demonstrate the proposed endeavor has national importance: the business plan showed limited job creation and insufficient economic impact to rise to national significance.

A civil engineer in water and sewer infrastructure sought an EB-2 national interest waiver to consult on green practices for private and public entities. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed consultancy work, while meritorious in the field, lacks national importance because it would impact only specific clients rather than advancing the field broadly.

A civil engineer in construction sought EB-2 classification and a national interest waiver for a consulting company. The AAO affirmed denial because the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; work would be limited to individual clients without broader field implications.

Architect seeking NIW for EB-2 to work as project manager in civil engineering and construction. Petitioner claimed endeavor would provide substantial economic benefits through labor, materials, and employment. AAO held endeavor lacks national importance; generic industry reports insufficient; no empirical projections demonstrate national-level economic effects.

A civil engineer sought NIW to operate a construction and sustainability consulting company. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding substantial merit but no national importance; claimed worker shortage and industry importance insufficient without evidence of this specific endeavor's projected economic impact or broader field implications.

Civil engineer with foreign advanced degree seeking EB-2 national interest waiver for proposed dredging business. AAO found engineer qualifies for EB-2 but proposed endeavor lacks national importance because evidence shows only localized effects without broader field or regional implications required by Dhanasar framework.

Environmental engineer with advanced degrees sought NIW for sustainable development endeavor in waste and plastics management. AAO affirmed denial, finding insufficient evidence that the specific proposed endeavor has national importance or broader impact on the field, despite acknowledging its potential merit.

Civil engineer with advanced degree seeking EB-2 NIW. Although qualified for underlying EB-2 classification, petitioner failed to establish national importance of proposed endeavor; typical occupational duties and industry importance insufficient to meet Dhanasar first prong.

A civil engineer and project manager sought EB-2 advanced degree classification and national interest waiver. USCIS found him qualified for EB-2 but the AAO held his proposed construction project management endeavor lacked national importance under the first Dhanasar prong because it would not extend beyond his clients to impact the field or economy broadly.

Construction manager holding advanced degree sought EB-2 with NIW to own construction company. AAO dismissed because proposed endeavor lacks national importance: business plan shows only four hires and limited regional scope, insufficient to demonstrate substantial positive economic effects or mitigation of housing shortage at national level.

A civil engineer with experience in metal scaffolding and building support structures sought EB-2 national interest waiver. The AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed endeavor—continuing civil construction work and training employees—lacked the prospective national impact required by Dhanasar's first prong.

Civil project manager sought NIW under Dhanasar framework. AAO agreed proposed endeavor lacked national importance because petitioner did not demonstrate broader implications to construction or infrastructure beyond specific clients. Opinion confuses petitioner's qualifications with endeavor characteristics.

Civil engineer seeks EB-2 NIW to develop low-income housing construction company. AAO held proposed endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance. General importance of construction field and housing shortage insufficient; petitioner failed to demonstrate his specific venture would generate substantial positive economic effects.

An architect and sustainable construction consultant sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. The AAO affirmed denial because although he qualified as an advanced degree professional and his field had merit, his consulting practice lacked national importance; impact would be limited to individual clients rather than advancing the broader construction industry.

Self-petitioner, structural engineer proposing to operate his own design studio in Florida. Claimed national interest waiver for EB-2. AAO held proposed endeavor lacked national importance because it would benefit only his prospective clients without broader industry impact or economic effects warranting waiver.

Brazilian entrepreneur in civil engineering sought NIW for EB-2 advanced degree classification. Petitioner claimed substantial merit and national importance of endeavor to develop and expand company operations. AAO held proposed endeavor lacked clarity and demonstrated insufficient prospective impact beyond his own business clientele to establish national importance.

A topography specialist sought EB-2 NIW for infrastructure and aviation work, claiming national importance through improved infrastructure and national security contributions. The AAO dismissed, finding the proposed endeavor was routine technical services for specific projects without demonstrated broader impact on the field or industry.

Civil engineer and construction project manager sought EB-2 classification and NIW to operate project management business. AAO found substantial merit but no national importance for proposed endeavor. Business plan projecting modest revenue growth and four employees by year five did not demonstrate substantial positive economic effects or broader field impact required for national importance.

Civil engineer and construction manager sought NIW for renovation and construction business in local area. AAO affirmed dismissal, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance; petitioner's professional experience relates to second prong, not the specific endeavor's broader impact required.

Civil engineer and entrepreneur sought NIW for business providing technical drawings for low-income and commercial projects. AAO affirmed denial; petitioner's credentials and experience cannot alone establish national importance of proposed specific endeavor.

A civil engineer proposing a clean energy consulting company seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver. The AAO affirmed the director's finding that the proposed endeavor lacks national importance. Business plan lacked sufficient detail on worker employment and economic impact. Appeal dismissed on first Dhanasar prong; second and third prongs reserved.

A civil engineer sought EB-2 advanced degree classification with national interest waiver to run his own engineering services company in Florida. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance because it would not impact the civil engineering field broadly and petitioner was not well-positioned to advance it.

Civil engineer sought EB-2 NIW. AAO dismissed after finding petitioner qualified as advanced degree professional but failed to establish national importance of proposed endeavor. Description too vague lacking economic impact specifics.

Civil engineer and entrepreneur sought NIW for affordable residential and commercial real estate development. Possessed advanced degree and proposed endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance; record insufficient to demonstrate impact beyond local Florida community.