NIW Bearings
dismissedAPR152026_03B52032026-04-15 · appeal

This is an AAO appeal decision — a case denied once and appealed. It shows how the framework is applied; it is not the filing population.

The Petitioner, an aircraft mechanic and instructor, proposed to enhance aviation maintenance training programs, support workforce development, and promote higher safety and quality standards across the U.S. aviation sector by collaborating with FAA-approved repair stations, Part 147 institutions, and technical schools.

Field: aviation maintenance / aircraft mechanics and training · Read the decision (uscis.gov)

Prong 1 — national importancenot established · dispositive

“the record does not adequately demonstrate the specific endeavor the Petitioner proposes to undertake, i.e., how he intends to implement his proposed endeavor”
“the record does not demonstrate that his instructional activities offer benefits that extend beyond his trainees to impact the field more broadly”
“The evidence does not sufficiently show how his endeavor will extend beyond companies and trainees that he will serve to significantly impact the field.”
“they provide information regarding the importance of the industry, field, or profession in which the Petitioner will work, which is not the focus in determining whether a proposed endeavor may have national importance.”
“the expert opinion generally describes the three prongs of Dhanasar and summarizes the information already provided by the Petitioner's personal statements and recommendation letters”

AAO decision text

How the evidence was treated

  • recommendation letter · discounted
    “discussing his past experience, skills, and professionalism ... does not sufficiently demonstrate the future impact of the proposed endeavor”
    AAO decision text
  • other · discounted
    “provide information regarding the importance of the industry, field, or profession in which the Petitioner will work, which is not the focus”
    AAO decision text
  • other · discounted
    “the expert opinion generally describes the three prongs of Dhanasar and summarizes the information already provided by the Petitioner's personal statements”
    AAO decision text

Where this case turned

  • Endeavor too vague · p1 — described as a job role, not a defined undertaking
  • Field importance conflated with endeavor · p1 — argues the field matters, not the specific endeavor
  • Letters conclusory · p1 — letters praise skills in general terms without tracing specific impact
  • Local, not national scope · p1 — impact confined to clients / a region
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Notable

SCOPS had already found substantial merit (prong 1, first element) and that the petitioner was well-positioned (prong 2), but denied on national importance (prong 1, second element) and the waiver balance (prong 3). On appeal, the AAO agreed with SCOPS on national importance and dismissed solely on that basis, expressly reserving prongs 2 and 3. The AAO also reserved the threshold EB-2 exceptional ability determination. The expert opinion letter from T-S- was criticized for merely summarizing Dhanasar's three prongs and restating the petitioner's own background rather than addressing the specific endeavor's national importance.

What this case teaches

Analyst reading of the decision text.

Decisive factor

Record failed to specify how the endeavor would be implemented or extend impact beyond immediate trainees/employers, so national importance/scale was unsubstantiated despite general industry-importance evidence.

Transferable lesson

Tie evidence directly to the specific proposed endeavor's implementation and quantify its broader impact—industry-importance articles and generic expert/colleague letters cannot substitute for endeavor-specific proof of national-level scale.

Endeavor framing

vague

National-importance theory

economic_job_creation · field_advancement · geographic_or_shortage_area · national_security

Evidence targeting

person_focused

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