Published AAO appeal decisions

Film and animation director sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. AAO affirmed advanced degree qualification but dismissed appeal, holding proposed endeavor failed to demonstrate national importance; cultural significance of intended television and film projects insufficient without evidence of prospective impact.

A musician who runs music workshops for children sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification together with a national interest waiver. The AAO adopted the Director's findings that none of the regulatory criteria were satisfied, citing insufficient corroboration, and dismissed the appeal, reserving the Dhanasar waiver analysis as unnecessary.

Photography director with sixteen years experience sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification and national interest waiver. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner lacked exceptional ability and proposed endeavor failed to satisfy Dhanasar's first prong requiring substantial merit and national importance.

Communications specialist in film and television seeking EB-2 with NIW. Qualified for EB-2 advanced degree category. AAO found proposed work has substantial merit but not national importance; a single communications specialist's benefits too limited to advance field or boost economy nationally.

A film content creator sought NIW for EB-2 as individual of exceptional ability. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner met only one of six required criteria for exceptional ability, failing to establish underlying EB-2 eligibility; NIW Dhanasar prongs reserved.

Film and television producer sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification and national interest waiver. AAO affirmed service center denial, finding petitioner met only two of six regulatory criteria for exceptional ability; letters lacked specific detail on recognition and awards lacked nexus to petitioner's contributions.

An audio-video editor, filmmaker, and producer sought EB-2 and NIW. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to establish eligibility for EB-2 classification, lacking adequate credentials evaluation and not meeting the advanced degree or exceptional ability requirements.

Gospel singer from Brazil sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification and national interest waiver. AAO affirmed service center denial, finding petitioner failed to meet three of six regulatory criteria for exceptional ability, including insufficient documentation of ten years full-time experience and lack of recognition for significant contributions to field.

Film director/editor seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver initially proposed teaching cinematic arts, then shifted to establishing a business teaching film production. AAO dismissed because material change to proposed endeavor was impermissible; original endeavor lacked sufficient detail to analyze national importance.

An actor and model requested second preference classification as an individual of exceptional ability with a national interest waiver. The Director found no exceptional ability criteria met. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding her academic record, license, and membership evidence insufficient, and declined to analyze the waiver because the threshold was unmet.