Published AAO appeal decisions

A financial operations professional seeks NIW for EB-2. AAO reversed the initial denial of EB-2 qualification based on foreign degree equivalent but dismissed appeal because her proposed endeavor—establishing a financial consulting firm—lacked national importance; benefits would be limited to her own business and clients, not impact the field broadly.

Chief financial officer and self-petitioner sought NIW for EB-2 classification for proposed financial consulting company. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner failed to establish national importance of specific endeavor; business plan lacked credible evidence of substantial positive economic effects, job creation locations, or field-wide impact.

Finance professional sought EB-2 NIW. Service center found exceptional ability qualification but denied waiver. AAO affirmed: proposed endeavor of corporate treasurer and controller work lacked national importance; localized benefits to individual employers and divergent business ventures (wallpaper sales, real estate) did not demonstrate broad field impact.

A finance consultant with advanced degree seeks EB-2 NIW. The petitioner proposed operating a financial consulting company. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the endeavor lacks national importance and substantial positive economic effects required under Dhanasar.

A partner in a capital management firm sought extraordinary ability classification, and the service center denied the petition. The AAO dismissed the appeal as moot because the denial had been reopened and no new decision existed to contest. No criteria were analyzed.

Entrepreneur with twenty years accounting and finance experience in pharmaceutical industry seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability in business. AAO held only two of ten criteria met; three-criterion threshold not satisfied; no major award or exceptional recognition; appeal dismissed.

Self-employed financial specialist seeks NIW for EB-2. Petitioner claimed work in financial services has national importance and proposed training managers. AAO dismissed appeal, finding no evidence the specific endeavor has national or global implications, broader implications, or substantial positive economic effects beyond direct clients.

An investment associate in clean energy sought EB-2 NIW. Qualified as advanced degree professional. Endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance; no evidence of projected U.S. job creation or substantial economic effects from her specific investment consulting services.

A controller seeking national interest waiver to forgo job offer requirement appealed a denial. The AAO dismissed, finding the proposed work in accounting and financial management lacks national importance because benefits would not extend beyond specific clients to impact the broader field or economy.

An economist sought national interest waiver for small-business consulting company. AAO affirmed denial, holding that though the petitioner qualified for EB-2 and had demonstrated substantial merit, the proposed endeavor lacked national importance required under Dhanasar.