Published AAO appeal decisions

Financial manager sought EB-2 with national interest waiver for proposed financial consultancy services company. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance; insufficient detail on business plans or how services would achieve scale necessary for substantial positive economic effects.

Financial manager sought EB-2 with national interest waiver to provide administrative and financial advice to small and medium businesses affected by COVID-19. AAO dismissed, finding the endeavor lacks national importance and petitioner was not well positioned to advance it.

Financial manager sought EB-2 NIW. Proposed business: providing financial auditing and management services to small enterprises to combat corruption and improve operations. AAO found substantial merit but no national importance; business benefits limited to individual clients without broader industry or societal implications demonstrated.

A financial manager sought EB-2 classification with NIW for a business providing financial management services to small and medium enterprises. The AAO dismissed, finding the endeavor lacked both national importance and demonstrated positioning, as benefits were limited to direct clients without national implications.

Accountant seeks national interest waiver for financial consulting business serving small and medium enterprises. AAO held the endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance as it does not demonstrate significant potential for broad economic or employment effects, so waiver denied.

Insurance consultant with advanced degree sought national interest waiver for EB-2 petition. AAO reversed Director's finding on substantial merit but upheld denial on national importance, finding no evidence the consulting business would substantially impact U.S. economy or employment.

A financial manager sought NIW for EB-2 as advanced degree holder or individual of exceptional ability. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner lacked advanced degree and failed to meet exceptional ability criteria; NIW analysis reserved.

An entrepreneur and fiscal analyst sought NIW with exceptional ability classification. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to meet three of six exceptional ability criteria; underlying EB-2 classification not established, making NIW analysis unnecessary.

Personal finance and entrepreneurship consultant with advanced degree sought national interest waiver for EB-2 classification. AAO found substantial merit for proposed endeavor but dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to establish national importance; specific consulting services lacked broader field impact or sufficient economic effects beyond direct clients.

Personal financial adviser seeking NIW claimed his endeavor of advising clients on finances has national importance. AAO held the endeavor lacks national importance because benefits are limited to individual clients and do not extend to broader field or economy.

Entrepreneur and financial markets professional sought NIW under EB-2 advanced degree as chief economist for digital currency exchange. AAO dismissed, finding the endeavor has substantial merit but fails the national importance element of Dhanasar's first prong, reserving analysis of remaining prongs.

A financial administrator seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver claimed advanced degree or exceptional ability status. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to establish EB-2 eligibility itself, lacking required advanced degree credentials and meeting insufficient exceptional ability criteria, so Dhanasar analysis was not reached.

Accountant sought EB-2 NIW for financial literacy business endeavor. AAO affirmed Director's denial, finding the proposed endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance. Petitioner failed to demonstrate impact beyond her organization and did not adequately address specific Director findings.

Marketing professional in financial services sought advanced degree and exceptional ability classifications with national interest waiver. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner failed first Dhanasar prong: established substantial merit and was well positioned but did not demonstrate that providing marketing services to limited clients has national importance distinct from general importance of her occupation.

An insurance specialist proposed insurance sales and consultancy business, claiming national interest waiver under Dhanasar. AAO dismissed, finding proposed endeavor lacks substantial national importance required by first prong; endeavor insufficient to impact insurance industry or broader economy.

Accountant with advanced degree sought NIW. AAO found proposed endeavor lacked national importance despite working in important field. Merely providing accounting services to individual employers does not impact accounting profession broadly; speculative testimony about potential benefits insufficient.

Accounting and financial services company sponsored beneficiary for NIW as advanced degree professional. Claimed national importance through accounting and tax preparation services. AAO found substantial merit but rejected national importance because proposed work would not extend beyond company clientele to impact field or economy at national level.

A financial manager sought EB-2 with national interest waiver for self-employment in financial planning and analysis. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance because benefits would not extend beyond her future employers and customers to impact the broader financial management industry.

Financial manager seeking EB-2 with NIW for business consulting platform. Qualified for EB-2 advanced degree category. AAO found proposed endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance; benefits do not extend beyond employer and clients to impact field or national economy.

Accounting and tax specialist sought self-petitioner NIW to work with small and medium businesses on compliance and strategic financial planning. AAO agreed endeavor has substantial merit but found no national importance because petitioner failed to demonstrate broader implications beyond his own clients or impact on accounting field.

Treasurer and controller seeking EB-2 advanced degree classification and national interest waiver. AAO dismissed appeal, finding insufficient evidence that his proposed financial management endeavor has substantial merit or national importance as required by Dhanasar first prong; work lacks regional or national population impact.

International financial advisor sought NIW as EB-2 advanced degree professional. AAO held that specific proposed financial management work, though from important field, lacks sufficient national importance because record did not demonstrate prospective impact on field, significant job creation, or substantial economic benefits at required threshold.

Self-petitioner in financial management consulting sought NIW for proposed Florida consulting business. AAO affirmed denial because the specific proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance; general industry value, occupation importance, and claimed community contributions were insufficient without concrete evidence of broader implications or substantial economic effects.

Specialist in private equity and international capital markets seeking national interest waiver for EB-2 self-petition. Petitioner claimed national importance of foreign investment endeavor. AAO dismissed because proposed endeavor lacked specificity and evidence addressed field-level importance rather than specific endeavor impact.

Entrepreneur in financial consulting holding advanced degree applied for EB-2 with NIW under Dhanasar framework. Director found substantial merit but denied national importance; AAO affirmed. Petitioner's consulting business lacked evidence of specific endeavor having prospective impact beyond own clients and employees.