dismissed EB-2 (NIW) RFE Issued

Exercise Physiologist / Wellness Specialist

Physiotherapy / Wellness · Brazil · 2023-09-07

Decision Date
2023-09-07
Location
Massachusetts
This case is from a USCIS Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) appeal decision. Appeal cases represent a subset of petitions and may not reflect typical outcomes.

Proposed Endeavor

The petitioner proposes to establish a wellness company in the United States providing personalized fitness, Pilates, massage, and rehabilitation services. The work focuses on improving mobility and quality of life for patients suffering from chronic pain, movement difficulties, and cancer, specifically targeting veterans and the elderly.

Framework Evaluation

0 of 3 criteria met
1 Substantial Merit and National Importance Not Met

The endeavor has substantial merit in health but lacks national importance as its impact is limited to a small number of patients.

2 Well Positioned to Advance the Endeavor Not Met

The Director found this prong unmet, and the AAO did not overturn this finding.

3 On Balance, Beneficial to Waive Job Offer Not Met

The Director found this prong unmet, and the AAO did not overturn this finding.

Why This Petition Was Denied

The appeal was dismissed because the petitioner failed to establish the national importance of her endeavor under the first Dhanasar prong. While the work has merit, the record lacked operational details such as a business plan, revenue projections, or job creation estimates to show broader economic impact. Additionally, evidence submitted regarding 2021 legislation and government initiatives was disregarded as it post-dated the 2020 filing date.

Request for Evidence (RFE)

Unsuccessfully Addressed

The Director issued a NOID regarding the three prongs; the petitioner responded with additional statements and support letters which were found insufficient.

RFE Targets
Substantial Merit and National ImportanceWell Positioned to Advance the EndeavorOn Balance, Beneficial to Waive Job Offer

Evidence

Evidence Types
Reference Letters Dependent
Government Alignment

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Frequently Asked Questions

A dismissed EB-2 NIW petition means USCIS found the evidence insufficient to meet the eligibility criteria. Common reasons include weak documentation, failure to meet the required number of criteria, or insufficient evidence of the claimed qualifications. Petitioners can refile with stronger evidence or explore alternative visa categories.

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Case data sourced from publicly available petition decisions and case studies. Decision date: 2023-09-07.

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At a Glance

Outcome dismissed
RFE Issued
Criteria Met 0 / 3
Evidence Types 2

EB-2 (NIW) Case Data

Scraped Case Data

Total Cases 3,813
Success Rate 53.7%
Sustained 2,046
Dismissed 1,671

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