veterinary medicine
EB-2 National Interest Waiver — Merits Decision
Underlying petition: DENIED · Texas Service Center
Legal elements discussed — Matter of Dhanasar
Prong 1 — Substantial Merit & National Importance
FAILPetitioner argued: proposed endeavor has national importance because it is in STEM field
Evidence type: DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) finding: INSUFFICIENT
“The Petitioner's assertion that her proposed endeavor has national importance because she intends to continue working in a STEM field is misplaced.”
Decision PDF, p. 3Open source PDF
Petitioner argued: business will generate revenue and create employment opportunities
Evidence type: business plan
USCIS finding: INSUFFICIENT
“the plan does not provide sufficient detail of the basis for these projections”
Decision PDF, p. 4Open source PDF
Prong 2 — Well Positioned to Advance the Endeavor
NOT_DISCUSSEDProng 3 — Balancing the Waiver's Benefits
NOT_DISCUSSEDWhat 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.
This decision turned on national importance. Describe your own work and see which decisions discussed the same issue.
Describe your situation →Related decisions
Questions this raises for your lawyer
- On Prong 1 (substantial merit & national importance), USCIS found the petitioner's DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List insufficient to establish that proposed endeavor has national importance because it is in STEM field. 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?
- Would additional expert-opinion evidence have changed the outcome here, based on what USCIS said was missing?