Published AAO appeal decisions

Entrepreneur in commercial photography, video, podcast and multimedia production seeks EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. AAO affirmed denial, finding proposed business has substantial merit but lacks national importance under Dhanasar; specific venture fails to demonstrate potential to impact field or economy broadly.

A public relations professional claimed extraordinary ability for EB-1A classification. AAO found she failed to meet at least three of ten required criteria. Awards were attributed to employer, not individual. Membership evidence did not establish organizations require outstanding achievements by recognized experts. Record shows successful work but not sustained national or international acclaim.

Marketing and communications manager with advanced degree sought waiver to provide branding consultancy. Qualified for underlying EB-2 but failed to establish national importance of endeavor; impact limited to clients without broader economic benefits.

Sales and marketing entrepreneur petitioned for NIW for marketing consulting firm serving nonprofits. Claimed all three Dhanasar prongs. AAO found endeavor lacks national importance despite serving nonprofit sector; lacks broader implications and substantial U.S. employment potential, and dismissed without addressing remaining prongs.

Image strategist and personal stylist entrepreneur sought EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed fashion business had substantial merit but lacked national importance, as it would not impact the fashion field broadly and showed no nationally significant economic or social benefits.

A marketing specialist sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification with a national interest waiver. The petitioner claimed five of six exceptional ability criteria on appeal. The AAO found only the degree criterion met, since experience, salary, membership and recognition evidence fell short, and so reserved the Dhanasar analysis and dismissed the appeal.

Marketing administrator sought NIW as EB-2 advanced degree professional. AAO withdrew director's advanced degree determination due to lato sensu MBA lacking master's degree equivalency. On NIW, proposed marketing consulting has substantial merit but lacks national importance; record does not show specific endeavor's prospective impact meets Dhanasar standard.

Marketing entrepreneur seeking EB-2 national interest waiver. Claimed endeavor generates jobs and economic benefits with national importance. AAO agreed substantial merit was established but found no national importance because evidence showed only localized impact to immediate clients without broader field influence.

Communications specialist with advanced degree sought EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to establish national importance of proposed sustainability communications endeavor; industry importance does not substitute for specific endeavor impact.

A marketing and digital strategist sought an EB-2 national interest waiver for music industry work connecting American and Latin American sectors. The AAO found the specific endeavor lacked national importance because it would not extend beyond her clients or substantially impact the entertainment industry broadly.

Marketing manager sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. AAO reversed director's prong-one finding and dismissed, holding endeavor lacked national importance and petitioner not well-positioned. Tourism marketing business lacked evidence of significant U.S. economic impact or field-wide advancement.

Public relations consultant seeking NIW. Claimed substantial merit and national importance of public relations services endeavor. AAO found applicant failed first prong because evidence showed intention to work in field but lacked sufficient documentation of prospective impact rising to national importance level.

Marketing specialist and entrepreneur with advanced degree sought NIW under EB-2. Proposed two marketing and technology businesses claiming novel products and economic benefits. AAO found record lacked corroborating evidence of national importance, broader field implications, or substantial employment or economic effects to establish first Dhanasar prong.

Marketing manager seeking national interest waiver for self-owned firearms and beauty product businesses. AAO held proposed endeavors lack national importance because they would not impact petitioner's field broadly and do not extend beyond her immediate clientele.

A digital influencer marketing entrepreneur was found to meet exceptional ability criteria but failed the national interest waiver test. The AAO determined his specific business endeavor lacked national importance under Dhanasar's first prong, finding it would benefit only his clients, not broadly impact the industry or economy.

A marketing consultant seeks NIW status to operate a digital and traditional marketing agency serving small and medium-sized businesses. The AAO acknowledged substantial merit but found the business plan insufficient to demonstrate national importance because benefits would not extend beyond individual client companies to impact the marketing industry.

Social communications specialist seeking national interest waiver for small trade consultancy business serving SMEs. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance; business activity does not extend beyond employees and clients or demonstrate substantial economic benefits.

Animation specialist with advanced degree seeks NIW for EB-2. Claimed proposed animation work is of national importance. AAO held the work lacks national importance because petitioner failed to demonstrate broader implications beyond employer and its clients; the importance of the field itself is insufficient.

Marketing entrepreneur sought NIW under EB-2 advanced degree. Did not establish qualifying advanced degree; claimed national importance via job creation and climate resilience marketing. AAO agreed substantial merit shown but rejected national importance, finding limited personnel and economic impact insignificant for industry scale.

Medical products sales and distribution specialist seeks NIW for EB-2. Petitioner proposed marketing consulting business with employee creation and training activities. AAO dismissed appeal, finding job creation and revenue insufficient to establish substantial positive economic effects at national level and training activities lack broader field implications beyond company participants.

A Nepali journalist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification based on nine criteria claims. The AAO found she did not satisfy the three-criterion threshold, finding no national or international recognition for her award, membership, published material, original contributions, or salary. Two additional criteria were claimed but not analyzed as the threshold failed.

Marketing director sought EB-2 NIW to provide media monitoring and consulting services to small enterprises. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance, having only local client impact without broader field implications. Appeal dismissed.

Self-petitioner, professional in social marketing and financial advisory, seeks EB-2 NIW. AAO held petitioner lacks advanced degree eligibility and failed NIW's first prong because proposed endeavor lacks substantial merit and national importance, affecting only local clients without broader economic impact.

Marketing manager seeking EB-2 NIW for business focused on navigating Brazilian regulatory and financial matters claimed national importance through industry expertise and job creation. AAO held specific endeavor lacks national importance because applicant provided no documentation of prospective impact on field, business plan projections insufficient to demonstrate national economic significance.

Marketing professional with advanced degree sought EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO dismissed appeal finding petitioner's proposed endeavor of providing marketing advice to U.S. companies lacked national importance, as it demonstrated only localized impact without broader industry or economic implications required under Dhanasar.