Published AAO appeal decisions

Radiology technician sought EB-2 exceptional ability with NIW. AAO dismissed appeal finding petitioner met only one of required three criteria due to insufficient documentation of work experience, professional license, and salary comparison supporting exceptional ability claim.

Self-petitioner physical therapist seeking NIW as EB-2. Claimed endeavor aligns with public health national interests. AAO held specific endeavor of treating patients at single facility lacks demonstrated national or global field implications and broader economic impact required under Dhanasar framework.

A dentist self-petitioning for NIW sought waiver of job offer for EB-2 advanced degree classification. He proposed buying and expanding a Texas dental clinic. AAO dismissed the appeal, finding while his endeavor had national importance, he was not well positioned to advance it at filing and adjudication because he lacked state licensure until six months after petition filing.

A physical therapist sought EB-2 NIW classification. The AAO withdrew the Director's misrepresentation finding and accepted substantial merit of the proposed work, but found the specific endeavor lacks national importance due to insufficient evidence of broader field impact or significant economic effects. Appeal dismissed.

Physician sought EB-2 with national interest waiver to practice geriatric medicine. AAO affirmed denial on two grounds. Petitioner failed to show national importance of general practice and did not demonstrate being well-positioned to advance the endeavor. Material amendment concerning clinic ownership was impermissible.

Dental assistant and entrepreneur with Brazilian dental degree sought EB-2 NIW. Claimed endeavor had substantial merit and national importance. AAO found neither prong met: endeavor too vague and lacking data on economic impact, job creation, or field advancement. Appeal dismissed.

Physical therapy specialist seeking EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO found petitioner qualified for underlying EB-2 but failed first Dhanasar prong: substantial merit was demonstrated but national importance was not, as proposed endeavor would impact only employer and patients, not broader field.

A nurse with 20 years of nephrology and hemodialysis experience sought an EB-2 national interest waiver for continued clinical work. The AAO dismissed, finding her endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance; improving care for individual dialysis patients does not rise to required level of field or industry impact.

Physical therapist seeking EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO found petitioner demonstrated substantial merit but failed to show national importance of specific endeavor. Proposed work would benefit specific patients and employers but lack documented prospective impact on profession or economy broadly.

A nurse sought EB-2 NIW classification. The AAO found the proposed nursing work has substantial merit but lacks national importance because it would only affect specific patients and workplaces, not the nursing field broadly. The appeal was dismissed without analyzing the second and third prongs.

A speech-language pathologist with a master's degree sought EB-2 NIW, proposing research in speech pathology. The AAO found the endeavor had substantial merit and national importance but rejected the petition because the petitioner failed to establish she was well-positioned to advance it; her publications lacked citations, letters came largely from associates, and evidence did not demonstrate sufficient research success or industry interest.

Physical therapist seeking EB-2 NIW to practice physical therapy, focusing on low-income families with disabilities. AAO held DOL Schedule A designation of occupation does not establish national importance; localized benefits to specific individuals do not rise to required national importance level under Dhanasar.

Physical therapist seeking EB-2 with NIW to operate business providing therapy services. Claimed national importance based on profession shortage. AAO affirmed denial: shortage of practitioners does not establish national importance of specific endeavor; individual clinical practice lacks broader implications required by Dhanasar framework.

Dentist seeking NIW for EB-2 advanced degree classification to operate clinic in underserved region. Claimed endeavor addresses shortage of dental services and has economic benefits. AAO dismissed appeal, finding individual dental practice lacks national importance required by first Dhanasar prong.

A dental healthcare worker sought national interest waiver for EB-2 classification. AAO affirmed dismissal because petitioner failed to establish national importance of proposed dental practice. Expert letters addressing dentist shortage did not demonstrate specific endeavor would have broad impact on field or economy.

A dentist sought EB-2 NIW classification. The AAO found the proposed dental clinic has substantial merit but lacks national importance because the work's impact would be limited to specific clinics and patients without advancing the dental field or creating significant economic benefits. Appeal dismissed.

Nuclear medicine technologist and medical physicist seeking NIW for EB-2 classification to pursue diagnostic medical physics residency and self-employment. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance of proposed endeavor and that waiver would benefit the United States, though substantial merit was established.

Pharmacist seeking NIW for advanced-degree EB-2. Claimed telepharmacy and medication delivery innovation endeavor demonstrates substantial merit addressing health disparities. AAO found substantial merit established but rejected national importance of petitioner's specific endeavor versus general field importance. Appeal dismissed.

A dentist seeking EB-2 NIW as entrepreneur failed to establish five years progressive post-baccalaureate experience through employer letters and failed to submit required labor certification form. Appeal dismissed on independent alternative grounds without reaching NIW analysis.

A physical therapist sought EB-2 NIW. Qualified for underlying EB-2 as advanced degree professional. Claimed innovative rehabilitation methods and insoles but lacked objective documentation. Specific endeavor lacks national importance; general patient care does not reach necessary impact level.

Physician-researcher in urologic oncology with advanced degree seeks EB-2 national interest waiver. Claimed three Dhanasar prongs: substantial merit of clinical and research endeavor, personal positioning to advance it, and balance favoring waiver. AAO sustained appeal, finding all three prongs met based on clinical care contributions, research trajectory, and public health significance.

A nurse sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. The AAO affirmed that she lacked an advanced degree equivalent and failed to establish five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience. As she did not qualify for the underlying EB-2 classification, the Dhanasar analysis was not reached.

Surgical technologist specialist sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. AAO found her proposed endeavor lacked substantial merit and national importance as required by Dhanasar; benefits were limited to specific patients and employer rather than advancing the field or nation broadly.

A pharmacist sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. AAO affirmed denial, finding the petitioner failed to establish national importance of providing pharmacy services to underserved populations. The decision held that individual patient care activities, while valuable, lack the broader field impact and substantial economic effects required.

Dentist sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. AAO dismissed the appeal because petitioner presented inconsistent and ambiguous descriptions of her proposed endeavor across multiple opportunities, failing to establish it sufficiently to analyze under any Dhanasar prong.