Published AAO appeal decisions

A financial manager sought EB-2 NIW classification proposing to advance financial management services for U.S. businesses. The AAO rejected the claim that the proposed endeavor had national importance, finding the applicant provided insufficient evidence of specific impact, scope, viability, or economic benefit. Appeal dismissed.

Financial consultant seeking EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO found petitioner failed to establish national importance of specific endeavor. Evidence regarding finance industry importance did not demonstrate how petitioner's specific work benefits nation broadly, only employer and clients.

Business and financial consultant with advanced degree sought NIW to provide consulting and trade partnership services in South Florida. AAO held petitioner failed to establish national importance because his specific endeavor lacks broader implications and revenue projections do not demonstrate substantial positive economic effects.

Financial manager and entrepreneur seeking EB-2 with NIW to establish financial management consulting business. Claimed endeavor has national importance through economic benefits. AAO affirmed denial: endeavor lacks national importance despite substantial merit; no corroborating evidence of broader impact required by Dhanasar framework.

Financial analyst sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance despite meeting some regulatory criteria. Work benefited only individual employers, not the field broadly or the nation.

Credit analyst seeks NIW for EB-2 to establish mortgage lending company in Florida. AAO affirmed denial because proposed endeavor lacked national importance. Regional focus and projected employment of 21 workers insufficient to demonstrate broad impact on industry.

Accountant sought EB-2 NIW classification. AAO found MBA from Brazil not established as U.S. equivalent advanced degree, and experience letters lacked required detail. Petitioner failed to meet exceptional ability criteria. Appeal dismissed because petitioner ineligible for underlying EB-2 classification.

A tax analyst seeks EB-2 classification with a national interest waiver to operate a tax and financial consulting business in Florida. The AAO affirmed the Director's denial, finding the petitioner well-positioned but failing to establish that the proposed endeavor has substantial merit or national importance, as required under Dhanasar.

Self-petitioner entrepreneur in finance seeking NIW as EB-2. Claimed endeavor of financial advisory and training has substantial merit and national importance. AAO held the endeavor lacks demonstrated national importance because evidence does not show broader impact on the finance industry or economy beyond the business itself.

An actuary from Brazil sought EB-2 advanced degree classification and NIW for proposed insurance consulting business. AAO found substantial merit but dismissed appeal because proposed endeavor lacks national importance; no prospective impact beyond own business and clients.

A financial manager sought EB-2 NIW. Director did not analyze underlying EB-2 eligibility. Proposed endeavor providing financial management services has substantial merit but lacks national importance; no evidence of broader field impact beyond serving employer or clients.

An accounting consultant claims NIW for EB-2 exceptional ability classification. The AAO found she failed to meet the advanced degree requirement and did not establish at least three evidentiary criteria for exceptional ability. Since she lacked EB-2 eligibility, the court did not address the NIW national importance prongs.

Accountant and finance professional with advanced degree sought NIW for independent financial consulting and advisory firm. AAO held petitioner established substantial merit but failed to demonstrate national importance because his endeavor lacks evidence of significant U.S. job creation or substantial economic effects.

Financial manager seeking EB-2 NIW to start entrepreneurial financial management company. AAO held revised endeavor materially different from initial proposal, creating ambiguity, and lacks evidence showing how hiring plan and operations would achieve national importance level required by Dhanasar framework.

Financial manager from Brazil sought EB-2 advanced degree classification and NIW. Petitioner did not meet EB-2 requirements due to insufficient post-baccalaureate experience; degree completed only three months before filing with unclear work history timeline.

Financial advisor sought NIW under EB-2 as specialized business consultant in international trade and hospital cost reduction. Petitioner failed to establish national importance of proposed endeavor. AAO dismissed, finding prospective economic impact limited to individual clients rather than broader field or substantial national scope.

Treasurer and controller sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. AAO dismissed because petitioner could not consistently articulate proposed endeavor, transforming it from initial petition through RFE response, preventing meaningful application of Dhanasar framework.

Finance consultant seeks NIW for financial consulting business. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance because unsupported sales forecasts and impact limited to company clientele without demonstrable broader effect on financial services industry or U.S. economy. Appeal dismissed.

A financial and investment analyst entrepreneur sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification and national interest waiver. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to demonstrate eligibility for the underlying EB-2 classification by meeting the initial evidence threshold, making Dhanasar analysis unnecessary.

A financial manager self-petitioning for NIW sought waiver of job offer for EB-2 classification. He claimed his financial management work has national implications for economic growth. AAO dismissed the appeal, finding insufficient evidence that his specific proposed endeavor has national importance, broader implications in his field, significant employment potential, or substantial economic effects for the nation.

Financial analyst and manager seeking EB-2 NIW to operate independent consulting company. Petitioner claimed endeavor would have national importance through job creation and improving financial reporting methodologies. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner failed to establish national importance of specific proposed endeavor; new material facts presented in response to RFE cannot establish eligibility.

An economics professor sought national interest waiver to provide consulting to Latino-owned businesses. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed first Dhanasar prong: proposed endeavor lacked clarity and demonstrable national importance. Vague intentions to assist small companies at unspecified stage did not establish broad field impact or substantial economic effects.

A financial advisor seeking EB-2 with NIW to operate an investment brokerage firm. AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked substantial merit and national importance as required under Dhanasar's first prong because no evidence demonstrated significant job creation, economic depression area impact, or broad prospective benefit to the United States.

Financial manager seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver. Claimed endeavor in financial consulting has substantial merit but lacks national importance as required by Dhanasar first prong. AAO affirmed dismissal because proposed work would only benefit specific clientele, not impact industry or economy broadly.

A personal financial advisor sought EB-2 with national interest waiver under Dhanasar framework. The AAO affirmed dismissal because the petitioner failed to establish substantial merit and national importance of the proposed endeavor, offering only generalized assertions about attracting investment and supporting clients without showing broader field or national impact.