Published AAO appeal decisions

A civil engineer proposed research on traffic safety analysis methods. The AAO held the specific endeavor lacks national importance despite relating to a valued field; the endeavor did not demonstrate broader field impact or prospective significance required by Dhanasar's first prong. Appeal dismissed.

Automotive engineer sought EB-2 NIW to develop Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. AAO clarified Dhanasar does not require percentage thresholds but affirmed petitioner failed to show broad technological or public safety implications at national importance level. Motions to reopen and reconsider dismissed.

Computer science graduate proposes research on neuroinformatics, obesity, and Alzheimer's disease with healthcare applications. AAO dismissed appeal finding proposed endeavor lacks sufficient evidence of broader field impact for national importance and petitioner insufficient prior success demonstrating ability to advance the research.

Medical scientist proposing clinical trial safety consulting company. Claimed national interest waiver under Dhanasar framework. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance; benefits restricted to company clients rather than broader healthcare field or economy.

Business development manager seeks NIW under EB-2 to create social networking platform enhancing local small business interactions. AAO dismissed, finding substantial merit but insufficient evidence of national importance; hiring four employees and claimed mental health benefits lack broader field implications.

Associate director in international supply chain operations seeking EB-2 national interest waiver. Service center found advanced degree qualification but denied waiver. AAO affirmed, holding that supply chain management work, despite general field importance, does not demonstrate specific national importance under Dhanasar first prong.

An electrical products manufacturer sought EB-2 NIW for a software engineer developing manufacturing products. AAO affirmed denial, finding petitioner focused on company activities rather than demonstrating the beneficiary's specific endeavor has national importance, and record lacked sufficient detail on beneficiary's specific role.

A software developer and entrepreneur with a Ukrainian master's degree sought EB-2 NIW classification for an all-in-one technology agency serving startups and small businesses. The AAO affirmed denial, finding the endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance as the petitioner failed to demonstrate broader implications or significant economic effects without supporting evidence.

Biomedical researcher seeks EB-2 with national interest waiver. AAO found proposed research endeavor has substantial merit and national importance but concluded petitioner lacks adequate credentials, publications, and documented education to be well positioned to advance it. Appeal dismissed on second prong failure.

An applicant with advanced degree sought NIW EB-2 to develop blockchain and smart contract technologies for insurance, alongside academic teaching. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the endeavor had substantial merit but lacking national importance; the proposed product and teaching activities would not impact the field broadly enough.

A relationship manager with advanced degree seeks NIW claiming to improve financial access and security through Islamic finance services. AAO affirmed denial because the petitioner failed to establish national importance of the specific proposed endeavor, lacking sufficient detail about strategies and prospective nationwide impact.

Professional with advanced degree in geodetic engineering sought EB-2 NIW for co-living management system for senior citizens. Proposed endeavor has substantial merit addressing housing and aging issues, but petitioner failed to demonstrate national importance; impact limited to end users without evidence of broader field transformation or economic benefits.

Civil engineer and entrepreneur sought NIW for EB-2 advanced degree to operate a real estate technology startup focused on affordable housing. AAO found endeavor lacked national importance because record did not sufficiently demonstrate prospective impact at national or industry level, and petitioner was not well-positioned to advance it.

A biomedical engineering graduate research assistant sought NIW EB-2 classification for livestock safety research. The AAO found the proposed endeavor had substantial merit and national importance but dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to demonstrate he was well positioned to advance the endeavor, lacking a demonstrated record of research success.

An aircraft maintenance technician sought NIW for EB-2. The AAO found the proposed endeavor met the first Dhanasar prong on national importance but dismissed for failing the second prong. The petitioner lacked documented evidence of company existence, adequate funding, and a credible team to advance the proposed business.

Software developer and entrepreneur sought EB-2 with national interest waiver to establish software automation services firm in Florida. AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed business lacked national importance because petitioner provided only unsupported assertions and business projections without demonstrating broader industry impact or substantial economic effects beyond serving individual clients.

Computer scientist with master's degree seeking EB-2 national interest waiver for research on optimization algorithms in machine learning. AAO dismissed, finding proposed endeavor lacked national importance; evidence showed importance of field, not specific petitioner's work beyond employer.

An avionics specialist sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification together with a national interest waiver. The AAO dismissed the appeal because he did not show ten years of full-time experience with reliable evidence, so he lacked the underlying classification and the waiver analysis was not reached.

A biostatistician with a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering seeking EB-2 with NIW for developing a smartphone ECG device failed to establish national importance. The description lacked specificity, and evidence did not show prospective impact commensurate with national significance.

An industrial engineering developer of data models sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. The AAO affirmed denial because his on-the-job research lacked national importance, benefiting only his employer and customers without broader field implications; prior NSF funding does not establish national importance of new proposed endeavor.

Industrial engineer sought EB-2 national interest waiver for project engineer role. Petitioner is advanced degree professional but failed first Dhanasar prong: proposed endeavor lacks national importance despite alignment with environmental priorities and cost reduction potential on individual projects.

Software engineer with master's in computer science sought EB-2 NIW for developing secure healthcare software. AAO held endeavor lacked national importance despite alignment with federal priorities, and petitioner not well-positioned without demonstrated interest from relevant parties or detailed plans.

Truck driver and entrepreneur sought NIW for transportation and logistics venture. AAO dismissed, finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance despite acknowledging substantial merit. Without first prong satisfied, Dhanasar analysis terminates and second and third prongs need not be reached.

A petitioner sought EB-2 NIW classification for a Russian economics graduate. The AAO dismissed her combined motion to reopen and reconsider, holding the bachelor degree was completed in less than four years and the academic evaluation did not credibly establish foreign equivalency to a U.S. four-year degree.

An art curator seeks EB-2 national interest waiver to establish a nonprofit cultural platform for exhibitions, archiving, and education. The AAO affirmed denial because the proposed endeavor lacks demonstrated national importance; support letters and credentials alone do not establish impact extending beyond immediate community.