Published AAO appeal decisions

Agribusiness consultant with advanced degree in zootechnics proposed starting a consulting company for sustainable farming and animal breeding. AAO held the proposed endeavor lacks national importance because services are individualized to specific clients without broader field implications.

A musician and trumpet player sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed five evidentiary criteria; AAO found two met (awards, exhibitions) and three not met (published material, membership, leading role). AAO concluded petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field, dismissing the appeal.

Civil engineer entrepreneur seeking NIW for engineering consulting and project management company. Claimed national importance based on construction industry significance and infrastructure projects. AAO affirmed denial, finding that one business's revenue and job creation insufficient for national impact; industry importance does not establish individual venture's national importance.

A singer self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability, claiming five criteria. The AAO dismissed, finding he met none: awards lacked national recognition, membership not established, published material insufficient and post-dated filing, and judging and contributions claims waived. Overall evidence insufficient for sustained national acclaim.

Oil and gas project manager with advanced degree seeks NIW. Director found substantial merit but not national importance. AAO affirmed that proposed endeavor lacks necessary prospective impact, broader field implications, or significant U.S. job creation or economic effects at national level.

Accountant and entrepreneur seeks EB-2 NIW for business consulting firm. Petitioner claimed substantial merit and national importance under Dhanasar. AAO dismissed because the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; general business improvement and economic assertions were insufficient without specific evidence of prospective national-level impact.

Electrical engineer with 11 years IT and electrical engineering experience sought EB-2 national interest waiver for venture addressing cybersecurity, IoT, and sustainable energy. AAO dismissed: proposed endeavor lacked evidence of national importance and substantial impact on relevant industries despite general industry significance.

An accountant sought a national interest waiver to operate an accounting and cryptocurrency compliance consulting business. The AAO upheld dismissal, finding substantial merit but no national importance because projected revenues and employment of a small team did not demonstrate substantial economic effects or field-wide impact.

Urban development planner sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. AAO held petitioner failed the well-positioned prong: lacked specific business model or plan for United States endeavors and no credible evidence of investor or customer interest, despite experience with international projects.

An actor sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. She met four evidentiary criteria but the AAO agreed with the director that the record does not establish sustained national or international acclaim or that she ranks among the top small percentage of actors in her field. Appeal dismissed.

Martial arts entrepreneur sought EB-2 exceptional ability classification with NIW. AAO found petitioner met only one of six regulatory criteria for exceptional ability, not the required three. Because underlying EB-2 eligibility was not established, the NIW claim was reserved without analysis.

A logistics entrepreneur appealed dismissal of motions to reopen and reconsider a denied national interest waiver petition. The AAO affirmed dismissal, finding the change in intended operations reflected ineligibility, and evidence did not establish national importance, adequate positioning, or balanced benefit to the U.S.

Financial manager proposes self-funded fintech venture offering AI-driven financial guidance to economically distressed communities. Claimed national importance based on field value and target population impact. AAO affirmed denial: specific endeavor lacks demonstrated substantial economic impact, employment potential, or concrete implementation plan meeting national importance threshold.

Restaurant petitioned for O-1A classification for executive chef of extraordinary ability. AAO dismissed appeal because beneficiary failed to demonstrate nomination for significant awards or at least three of six regulatory criteria; evidence of participation in distinguished productions and published recognition was insufficient.

A real estate broker and sales agent sought EB-2 immigrant classification and national interest waiver. The AAO found she qualified as an advanced degree professional but failed the NIW first prong (substantial merit and national importance), as her real estate brokerage work lacks broader field implications required by Dhanasar.

An advanced-degree entrepreneur-investor seeking EB-2 NIW to establish a U.S. business claimed to create 53 jobs and generate $5.17 million in wages. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding recommendation letters and industry articles do not establish national importance of the specific proposed endeavor; broader field importance differs from prospective impact of the petitioner's business.

A visual artist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification claiming six criteria. The AAO found two criteria met (published material and display of work) but this falls short of the three minimum required. The remaining claimed criteria were either rejected or abandoned, and the overall record did not demonstrate sustained national acclaim or placement among the very top of the field.

A nurse with advanced degree seeks EB-2 classification and national interest waiver to establish a home health care business. The AAO dismissed the appeal, agreeing the petitioner demonstrated substantial merit but failed to show national importance or broader field impact required under Dhanasar.

A mining technician sought NIW to work in mining consulting. AAO dismissed the appeal because the proposed endeavor did not demonstrate national importance; professional plan failed to show the work would impact the mining industry beyond direct client relationships or substantially advance the field.

A public administration expert in sports with advanced degree sought EB-2 NIW classification. Director found substantial merit but denied national importance. On appeal, petitioner submitted letters of intent and business projections forecasting 14 jobs by year five, but AAO found projections lacked significance for broader field or national economy impact.

A petitioner in business management sought EB-2 NIW classification based on an advanced degree. The AAO affirmed denial because the petitioner failed to establish five years of progressive experience in the specialty, a requirement for advanced degree equivalency. The NIW Dhanasar prongs were not addressed.

Conflict resolution consultant with advanced degrees seeks NIW for mediation services in schools. Petitioner established substantial merit but failed to demonstrate national importance of specific proposed endeavor. Evidence discussed importance of conflict resolution generally, not petitioner's particular services or their broader field impact or economic effects.

A paralegal and entrepreneur sought EB-2 national interest waiver for a legal consulting firm. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; industry importance and past accomplishments were insufficient without evidence of broad prospective impact or substantial economic effects.

Nurse self-petitioner claiming national interest waiver under EB-2 exceptional ability. The AAO agreed the petitioner established substantial merit of nursing training work but dismissed, finding insufficient evidence of national importance; evidence addressed field importance generally, not the specific endeavor's broader implications.

A marketing and advertising consultant with advanced degree sought NIW for self-employment. AAO dismissed because proposed endeavor lacked national importance; petitioner did not demonstrate substantial economic effects or job creation at regional or national scale.