Published AAO appeal decisions

Risk management professional with advanced degree seeking NIW for EB-2. Petitioner proposed developing risk models and market risk analytics for national economic benefit. AAO dismissed, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance. Work was too narrowly tied to employer; vague assertions about preventing economic collapse insufficient. Well-positioned and balance prongs not reached.

Financial manager and lawyer seeks NIW. AAO found petitioner impermissibly changed proposed endeavor between initial filing and RFE response; initial endeavor lacks specific focus and does not demonstrate substantial merit or national importance.

A management and financial analyst sought EB-2 NIW for work as a financial analyst and starting a financial advisory services business. The AAO dismissed the appeal, upholding the director's decision that motion requirements were not met and that a business plan alone insufficient to establish national importance.

A risk manager with advanced degree seeking EB-2 classification with NIW to develop AI-based fraud detection algorithms. The AAO found the first prong met but dismissed because petitioner lacks entrepreneurship and algorithm development experience, failing to demonstrate she is well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.

Fintech business executive sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met one of ten initial criteria. AAO affirmed director's rejection of scholarly article authorship and high salary criteria due to insufficient evidence of scholarly publication and unexplained salary discrepancies.

A financial consultant sought NIW as EB-2 to operate a strategic advisory firm. The service center approved his advanced degree status but denied national interest waiver, finding insufficient evidence of endeavor's national importance. The AAO affirmed, holding unsupported projections of job creation and revenue insufficient to demonstrate national significance.

Investment firm petitions for O-1A classification for external managers evaluation specialist. Petitioner failed to submit required advisory opinion and satisfied only two of eight evidentiary criteria. Missing published material documentation and failing to establish three alternate criteria, petition dismissed.

Certified accountant seeks EB-2 with national interest waiver to establish accounting consulting services firm in Florida. AAO dismissed appeal because proposed endeavor, though demonstrating substantial merit and business success potential, fails to show national importance; impact limited to clients without broader industry significance.

Entrepreneur in finance seeks NIW. Claimed endeavor important for U.S. competitiveness and economic benefit through small business support. AAO dismissed, finding past experience does not establish prospective national importance of the specific endeavor and that industry importance alone does not meet Dhanasar standards.

An accountant claimed EB-2 classification as advanced degree professional and sought NIW for a consultancy initiative. The AAO dismissed because the petitioner lacked qualifying advanced degree documentation and failed to establish national importance of the proposed endeavor.

Economist self-petitioner sought EB-2 NIW for economic policy work. Director approved underlying EB-2 but denied NIW on national importance. AAO agreed; petitioner failed to submit documentary evidence that specific work would impact field broadly or have national importance beyond employer.

Real estate professional with industry experience seeks EB-2 with national interest waiver for real estate development business. AAO dismissed because proposed endeavor lacks national importance; petitioner relied on general foreign direct investment benefits applicable to any real estate professional rather than demonstrating specific extraordinary impact.

A service team manager seeking an executive position in financial services sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. The AAO dismissed the appeal, holding that while the petitioner qualified as advanced degree professional, her proposed endeavor lacked sufficient evidence of national importance; assertions alone without corroborating evidence were insufficient.

An account specialist and insurance agent sought EB-2 NIW. The AAO found the petitioner satisfied the advanced degree requirement but failed the first Dhanasar prong: the proposed work lacked national importance because contributions to accounting knowledge and diversity would not extend beyond her employer and clients to impact the field broadly.

A finance manager sought EB-2 NIW for a finance technologist role. The AAO affirmed dismissal, finding she failed to demonstrate her specific proposed endeavor has national importance distinct from the importance of the finance profession generally.

A software and investment firm sought O-1 classification for an investment and marketing specialist. After a summary dismissal of the appeal, the firm filed untimely combined motions to reopen and reconsider. The AAO found the delay was not reasonable or beyond the firm's control and dismissed both motions without reaching the merits.

A financial analyst sought EB-2 classification with a national interest waiver. The AAO found he did not qualify as an advanced degree professional and, alternatively, that his proposed financial analyst role lacked national importance because it would benefit only his clients and employers, not the industry or economy broadly.

An accountant sought EB-2 NIW proposing diversified accounting and consulting services to enhance U.S. company efficiency. The AAO dismissed, agreeing her endeavor has substantial merit but finding insufficient evidence demonstrating national importance because benefits to small businesses lack the requisite substantial positive economic effects.

International financial specialist with advanced degree sought NIW for specialized services in foreign exchange and fraud prevention. AAO found proposed endeavor lacks national importance; benefits do not extend beyond prospective employers or clients to impact broader industry. Appeal dismissed.

Lawyer seeks NIW for financial literacy consulting business targeting Latino community. Petitioner claimed endeavor addresses nationally important financial literacy gap. AAO dismissed, finding proposed service lacks national importance as it would only benefit individual clients without broader field implications.

Insurance sales agent and entrepreneur sought NIW under EB-2 based on exceptional ability. AAO dismissed appeal; though endeavor had substantial merit, petitioner failed to show national importance or broader implications beyond company and clientele despite field industry importance.

An accountant seeking to establish a financial consulting company focused on IFRS compliance and strategic planning claimed a national interest waiver. The AAO found substantial merit in the endeavor but rejected national importance because the business would serve only individual clients without broader impact on the field or economy.

Financial consultant and entrepreneur seeks NIW to establish consulting business. AAO held endeavor lacks national importance; business plan, credentials, and industry reports do not demonstrate prospective impact beyond petitioner's own business and clientele. First prong failure dispositive.

An economist seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification met initial evidentiary threshold but lacked sustained national or international acclaim. AAO reversed Director's finding on leading role criterion, found petitioner failed to meet three criteria, and held evidence insufficient for final merits determination of top-tier status; appeal dismissed.

Financial manager sought EB-2 NIW. AAO held the proposed endeavor lacked national importance because it would not impact the financial field broadly and lacked significant potential for U.S. employment or substantial economic effects. Appeal dismissed.