Published AAO appeal decisions

CEO seeking EB-2 classification and waiver for agribusiness consulting business development work. AAO dismissed appeal finding the specific proposed endeavor lacks national importance because services would benefit only individual clients without demonstrating broader industry or economic impact.

Entrepreneur with advanced degree sought national interest waiver to establish management consulting firm for law firms and businesses. AAO held the proposed endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance because it lacks demonstrated substantial economic benefits or broader field impact beyond individual clients.

IT specialist seeks NIW for consultancy business in computer systems management. Petitioner claimed national importance through job creation and economic effects. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacks demonstrated national impact beyond serving individual clients despite operating in important field.

High technology consultant seeking EB-2 with NIW claimed endeavor had substantial merit and national importance. AAO held proposed predictive maintenance and artificial intelligence consulting services lacked sufficient evidence of significant economic benefits or broad impact beyond company clientele.

A security consultant sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification with a national interest waiver to establish a private security consulting business. The AAO dismissed, finding the proposed endeavor lacks national importance despite the petitioner's skills and Brazilian law enforcement background; no sufficiently direct connection to nationally important impact.

A nonprofit employer sought NIW for its senior advisor in humanitarian food security and livelihoods work. AAO affirmed dismissal because beneficiary's specific monitoring and evaluation role lacked broader field implications; humanitarian importance of organization insufficient for national importance of individual endeavor.

A designer specializing in brand creation sought EB-2 NIW claiming his services would elevate brand identity across industries. The AAO dismissed the appeal, adopting the director's finding that petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance of his specific proposed endeavor, lacking sufficient evidence of innovation or economic impact beyond prospective clients.

Economist self-petitioner sought EB-2 NIW for economic policy work. Director approved underlying EB-2 but denied NIW on national importance. AAO agreed; petitioner failed to submit documentary evidence that specific work would impact field broadly or have national importance beyond employer.

Self-petitioner entrepreneur seeking EB-2 NIW for software development and cloud computing startup. Claimed endeavor aligned with national technology and workforce initiatives. AAO found substantial merit but no national importance; company lacks demonstrated significant potential for broad economic effects, employment creation, or impact beyond its immediate clientele.

Real estate professional with industry experience seeks EB-2 with national interest waiver for real estate development business. AAO dismissed because proposed endeavor lacks national importance; petitioner relied on general foreign direct investment benefits applicable to any real estate professional rather than demonstrating specific extraordinary impact.

An IT entrepreneur sought EB-2 classification with a national interest waiver for his information technology consulting company. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the proposed endeavor lacked sufficient evidence of national importance and broader implications beyond the company's specific clientele.

Logistician proposing supply chain services business in New York seeks NIW. Claimed national importance through industry significance and employment growth projections. AAO dismissed, finding no showing that specific endeavor broadly influences field or generates substantial economic effects beyond direct clients and employees.

A service team manager seeking an executive position in financial services sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver. The AAO dismissed the appeal, holding that while the petitioner qualified as advanced degree professional, her proposed endeavor lacked sufficient evidence of national importance; assertions alone without corroborating evidence were insufficient.

An IT manager and entrepreneur sought EB-2 NIW to develop an IT infrastructure and database consulting firm. The AAO found substantial merit but rejected the claim of national importance because the projected employment and revenue would not significantly impact the IT industry broadly or an economically depressed area.

A psychologist seeking EB-2 advanced degree professional classification and national interest waiver for a private psychotherapy practice. The AAO affirmed the director's denial of the combined motions to reopen and reconsider, and affirmed that the proposed private practice lacked national importance under Dhanasar's first prong.

Architect and urban planner seeks NIW for sustainability consulting business in Florida. Petitioner claimed national importance through resilient urban strategy initiatives and employment potential. AAO dismissed, finding endeavor has substantial merit but lacks demonstrated national importance or broader field impact.

Operations manager at auto parts wholesaler seeking EB-2 NIW claimed her endeavor would impact field through international purchasing and job creation. The AAO dismissed, finding the endeavor lacked national importance; benefits were confined to her company and direct clients without broader field or substantial economic implications.

A global brand and marketing communications director sought extraordinary ability classification, initially claiming nine criteria. The AAO found only the leading or critical role criterion satisfied, others unmet or waived, so the three-criterion threshold was not reached and the appeal was dismissed.

A paintless dent repair specialist seeking EB-2 classification and national interest waiver to work as a micro restoration specialist in automotive repair. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacks national importance because it would not impact the PDR field broadly or demonstrate substantial economic effects beyond the petitioner's clients.

A physiotherapist seeking EB-2 NIW classification claimed advanced degree and five years post-baccalaureate experience. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding willful misrepresentation: inconsistent statements about education and work experience contradicted prior visa proceedings, and petitioner did not respond to notice of intent to dismiss.

Journalist sought EB-2 classification and national interest waiver for work writing articles and teaching in Florida. AAO dismissed appeal finding the endeavor has substantial merit but lacks national importance because work would not extend beyond immediate audience to impact journalism field broadly.

Business director sought EB-2 with national interest waiver for ventures in real estate, digital marketing, and healthcare. AAO dismissed because proposed endeavor lacked evidence of national importance. Although ventures might generate local economic growth and jobs, they did not demonstrate broader field implications or national-scale impact required by Dhanasar.

An automotive journalist claimed five EB-1A criteria beyond the leading role criterion the director found met. The AAO affirmed rejections of awards, published material, and judging criteria. With only one criterion met, petitioner failed the threshold and lacked sustained international acclaim.

Quantum mathematics researcher sought national interest waiver as advanced degree holder. Met EB-2 advanced degree requirement but failed first Dhanasar prong. Recommendation letters lacking specificity about proposed endeavor; insufficient evidence that research has national importance beyond field prestige.

A supply chain and logistics operating manager sought a national interest waiver for a company supporting supply chain resilience. The AAO dismissed because the specific endeavor lacked national importance; while supply chain security is important, the petitioner did not show innovation or demonstrate that projected five to sixteen employees would create substantial economic effects.