Published AAO appeal decisions

A chief financial officer and corporate treasurer sought EB-2 national interest waiver for a financial services consulting business targeting immigrant clients. The AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance as it would serve only specific clients without broader industry impact or substantial economic effects in depressed areas.

Accountant and financial analyst proposed contributing expertise to businesses, promoting diversity and cultural enrichment. AAO agreed with director that working in an important field does not establish endeavor national importance; no evidence of novel methodologies, employment potential, or broader economic impact.

A tax professional with a bachelor's degree and five years experience sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver for an international trade compliance company. The AAO dismissed, finding the company lacks national importance: employing up to 120 workers or specific profits do not demonstrate substantial economic effects in a 52 billion dollar industry.

Entrepreneur seeking EB-2 with self-petitioner NIW for financial literacy and lending mobile app platform. Claimed endeavor promotes financial inclusion and employs U.S. workers. AAO held endeavor lacks national importance; projected benefits insufficiently corroborated; impact limited to app users; working in important field insufficient without broader implications.

Financial manager with advanced degree seeks NIW for EB-2 classification. Claimed endeavor has national importance through job creation and economic impact. AAO held that 50-job potential is insignificant relative to 206,000 industry jobs and lacks broader field impact required for national importance.

A chief financial officer seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification claimed five criteria. The AAO found she satisfied only the leading critical role criterion but failed to meet membership, published material, and high salary criteria. Without three criteria met, final merits determination was not reached. Appeal dismissed.

A healthcare manufacturing company petitioned for an EB-2 national interest waiver for a financial manager continuing existing work at a U.S. location. The AAO found the proposed endeavor lacked national importance despite STEM-related arguments and industry documentation, as neither work experience nor field shortage alone established broader impact. Appeal dismissed.

A financial advisor with established company in Brazil sought national interest waiver for EB-2 as individual of exceptional ability. AAO withdrew Director's denial of exceptional ability but found proposed endeavor lacked national importance; business serving personal client base does not demonstrate broader economic or field impact.

Assistant vice president in financial services seeks EB-2 national interest waiver. Petitioner claimed endeavor with artificial intelligence and digital technologies has national importance. AAO held substantial merit established but national importance unmet; endeavor impact confined to company and clients, lacking broader field implications required by Dhanasar.

Financial manager seeking EB-2 with NIW claimed endeavor has national importance through financial literacy services to small businesses. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance because it lacks broader field implications and benefits only direct clients, not society broadly.

A global financial services company petitioned for an NIW for a beneficiary developing AI and machine learning solutions. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the beneficiary's work, though valuable to the employer, lacked broader industry implications necessary to establish national importance under Dhanasar's first prong.

Financial manager with advanced degree sought NIW for employment in banking sector with proposed use of blockchain and AI technologies. AAO found substantial merit in the field but concluded the petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance of her specific endeavor, lacking evidence of broader industry impact, employment potential, or substantial economic effects.

An international banking and finance professional sought EB-2 with national interest waiver for a financial literacy and regulatory compliance consulting firm. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding that despite substantial merit, the endeavor lacks national importance because local economic benefits and job creation do not meet the substantial positive economic effects standard.

Entrepreneur proposing a financial consulting services company in Florida claiming national interest waiver. AAO dismissed appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacks national importance despite substantial merit; revenue projections and job creation figures insufficient to demonstrate significant prospective impact regionally or nationally.

Financial analyst holding advanced degree sought EB-2 national interest waiver for financial consulting business serving immigrants. AAO held proposed endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance; business plan lacks probative evidence of significant projected economic impact or job creation.

Financial services manager with MBA sought NIW as EB-2 professional to advance KYC and AML strategies. AAO dismissed, finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance despite industry significance; petitioner failed to demonstrate prospective impact beyond employer benefits.

Financial specialist seeking EB-2 exceptional ability with NIW. Proposed founding financial analysis and planning services firm. AAO affirmed denial: has substantial merit but lacks national importance; modest job creation and revenue projections insufficient for national-level economic impact.

A financial manager and entrepreneur sought EB-2 NIW status to establish a mining equipment sales company. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance under Dhanasar's first prong because indirect economic effects and HUBZone status were insufficient to demonstrate substantial positive national economic impact.

A financial administrator sought NIW for EB-2 advanced degree classification. The AAO affirmed that although the proposed endeavor had substantial merit, it lacked national importance under Dhanasar because her advisory services would not impact the field or nation broadly. Appeal dismissed.

Financial manager and entrepreneur sought EB-2 NIW for business work. AAO dismissed, finding proposed endeavor lacked sufficient evidence demonstrating national importance, broader economic impact, or substantial job creation at level required by Dhanasar framework.

Accountant with advanced degree sought NIW for providing accounting and auditing services to prospective clients. AAO found substantial merit but rejected national importance claim, finding no evidence of broad field impact, realistic business viability, or substantial employment and economic benefits.

Financial manager seeking EB-2 exceptional ability with national interest waiver for technology-driven consulting firm. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance; material post-filing changes to business plan made petition defective. Dhanasar prongs two and three not addressed.

Financial and investment analyst seeking EB-2 NIW claimed expertise in financial consulting. AAO held petitioner met underlying EB-2 but failed first Dhanasar prong; proposed business providing budgeting and forecasting services lacks national importance and broader field implications required.

International banking manager with advanced degree sought NIW as EB-2 professional. AAO dismissed, finding industry importance does not establish national importance of specific proposed endeavor; petitioner failed to demonstrate prospective impact on field or economy beyond individual employment.