Published AAO appeal decisions

Finance entrepreneur seeks NIW for consulting company connecting Brazilian investors to US financial products. Claimed substantial merit and national importance. AAO found specific proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance despite broad industry relevance.

Accountant sought EB-2 NIW for tax and business services to companies and individuals. AAO dismissed: while endeavor has substantial merit, petitioner failed to show broader national or global impact required for national importance. Government initiatives and industry developments do not establish her specific endeavor's national importance.

An accounting professional and entrepreneur sought exceptional ability and national interest waiver. The AAO found he met only one of six exceptional ability criteria. Because he failed the foundational EB-2 requirement, the AAO declined to reach the national interest waiver analysis and dismissed the appeal.

Finance manager with Brazil business expertise seeks NIW for EB-2 to establish consulting company. Business plan projects 23 staff and 41 direct jobs in year five. AAO holds proposed endeavor lacks national importance; modest job creation in large industry does not constitute substantial positive economic effects, and no showing of broader impact beyond company and customers.

Entrepreneur in financial management sought EB-2 advanced degree classification with national interest waiver. Director denied petition on national importance grounds. AAO affirmed, finding proposed endeavor providing financial consulting to small businesses did not demonstrate national importance; no specific evidence of job creation, broader field impact, or substantial economic effects required by Dhanasar.

Entrepreneur seeking to provide financial services to institutions applied for EB-2 with national interest waiver. AAO found the proposed endeavor lacked national importance and petitioner was not well-positioned to advance it. Appeal dismissed.

An accountant with advanced degree sought NIW for self-employment in accounting services. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked sufficient specificity and national importance, and the petitioner was not well positioned to advance it with only vague plans and no documented progress.

Advanced degree holder in mechanical engineering seeks NIW for reinsurance brokerage company. Petitioner argued field importance and government policy alignment but failed to demonstrate specific endeavor's national importance. Business plan projected $1.4M to $2.5M revenue and seven to ten jobs but lacked evidence of broader industry or economic impact. AAO dismissed; first Dhanasar prong not satisfied.

Tax specialist with advanced degree seeks EB-2 NIW for financial audit and tax services. AAO affirmed petitioner qualified for EB-2 as advanced degree professional but held proposed venture, while meritorious, lacked national importance. Serving U.S. businesses' financial compliance is insufficient without demonstrating substantial national-level economic impact.

Self-petitioner business administration and finance professional seeks EB-2 NIW for telemedicine supply chain management consultancy. AAO held proposed endeavor fails first Dhanasar prong; while adjacent to national initiatives, specific endeavor lacks demonstrated national importance or government agency interest.

An investment principal with an MBA seeks NIW for continued work in venture capital focusing on emerging AI companies. The petitioner claimed three Dhanasar prongs. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to establish that his specific proposed endeavor has national importance, focusing instead on general industry value rather than prospective impact of his specific work.

A financial professional sought a national interest waiver for self-employment in financial consulting. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked sufficient national importance because the evidence showed only localized consulting services for a limited clientele without broader field impact or substantial economic effects.

A financial technologies researcher with a PhD sought NIW as self-petitioner to start a fintech startup. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance despite showing substantial merit; benefits were confined to specific employers and clients rather than the field broadly.

Economist with doctorate in economics and finance sought NIW for EB-2 classification. She claimed expertise in economic development and financial analysis. AAO dismissed appeal because she presented inconsistent descriptions of her proposed endeavor and failed to establish its national importance or her capability to advance it.

A financial consultant seeks NIW for EB-2 claiming his financial management and capital investment advice would improve business competitiveness and economic impact. The AAO affirmed denial, finding substantial merit but no national importance because the endeavor lacks corroborating evidence of impact beyond his clientele.

International tax specialist sought NIW for work with foreign investors establishing U.S. companies. AAO dismissed appeal, holding petitioner conflated personal qualifications with endeavor requirements; proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated broader implications necessary for national importance under Dhanasar.

A business and financial analyst from Brazil seeks NIW status to operate a consulting business advising U.S. companies on Brazil business matters. The AAO found the endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance, as the benefits would not extend beyond specific clients or impact the financial industry broadly.

Economist and finance professional seeking EB-2 classification with national interest waiver for consultancy business providing quantum finance modeling to small and medium enterprises. Claimed expertise and economic benefits. AAO dismissed, finding petitioner's accomplishments and industry knowledge do not establish national importance of a solo consultancy venture lacking documented plan or evidence of prospective impact required by Dhanasar first prong.

Accounting and finance manager seeking NIW. Met substantial merit but failed national importance requirement. AAO dismissed appeal, finding that general importance of accounting and finance field is insufficient and petitioner failed to show proposed endeavor impacts STEM field or critical emerging technology.

Self-petitioner, financial adviser seeking EB-2 with NIW, proposed advisory services to small businesses post-COVID. AAO found substantial merit but reversed director's adverse substantial merit ruling and upheld denial on national importance; proposed work limited to Texas oil and gas SMEs lacks broader economic or field impact.

An entrepreneur and international insurance specialist sought NIW, claiming his endeavor had substantial merit and national importance. AAO found no clear EB-2 underlying classification determination made by the Director. On national importance, the record discussed general benefits of entrepreneurship and innovation to economies but failed to establish the petitioner's specific proposed endeavor would have prospective national impact.

A financial analyst sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. The AAO found she did not qualify as an advanced degree professional or individual of exceptional ability, lacking required work experience and failing to meet three evidentiary criteria. The appeal was dismissed without reaching the Dhanasar framework's second and third prongs.

International trade entrepreneur applied for EB-2 as person with exceptional ability seeking NIW. Director found substantial merit and that applicant well-positioned but denied national importance; AAO affirmed. Projected revenues and employment insufficient to demonstrate specific endeavor's national economic implications.

Financial manager with advanced degree sought national interest waiver for consulting firm providing financial planning and company valuation services. AAO found endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance; projected eight million dollars in revenue and twenty-one jobs insufficient to demonstrate national-level economic impact. Appeal dismissed.

Financial and investment specialist seeks NIW for consulting business providing financial advisory services to small businesses. AAO found substantial merit but held proposed endeavor lacks national importance without detailed evidence demonstrating scope and nationally significant impact on financial literacy or small business growth.