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EB-2 National Interest Waiver — Merits Decision

2025-11-20·DISMISSED·IN RE: 40286907

Underlying petition: DENIED ·

Legal elements discussed — Matter of Dhanasar

Prong 1 — Substantial Merit & National Importance

FAIL

Petitioner argued: proposed endeavor has national importance

Evidence type: business plan, letters, expert opinion

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) finding: INSUFFICIENT

we affirm SCOPS' conclusion that the Petitioner has not established the national importance of the proposed endeavor.

Decision PDF, p. 8Open source PDF

Prong 2 — Well Positioned to Advance the Endeavor

FAIL

Petitioner argued: well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

Evidence type: resume, letters

USCIS finding: INSUFFICIENT

the record does not unequivocally support SCOPS' summary conclusion that the Petitioner is well positioned to advance her proposed endeavor.

Decision PDF, p. 9Open source PDF

Prong 3 — Balancing the Waiver's Benefits

NOT_DISCUSSED

What this decision can’t tell you

This decision comes from a case that was denied and then appealed. Every case here is in that position — it cannot be used to estimate an overall approval rate, and it cannot predict the outcome of any individual case, including yours. USCIS officers exercise discretion on facts that are never fully captured in a written decision.

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Questions this raises for your lawyer

  • On Prong 1 (substantial merit & national importance), USCIS found the petitioner's business plan, letters, expert opinion insufficient to establish that proposed endeavor has national importance. What would make comparable evidence in my own case more persuasive?
  • On Prong 2 (well positioned to advance the endeavor), USCIS found the petitioner's resume, letters insufficient to establish that well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor. What would make comparable evidence in my own case more persuasive?
  • What in my own case most resembles the specific facts USCIS focused on in this decision?
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