dismissed H-1B Case: International Trade Consulting

MATTER OF G-T -A-, INC. 
Non-Precedent Decision of the 
Administrative Appeals Office 
DATE: SEPT. 30, 2016 
APPEAL OF CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER DECISION 
PETITION: FORM I-129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER 
The Petitioner, an international trade consulting firm, seeks to temporarily employ the Beneficiary as a 
"project manager" under the H -1 B nonimmigrant classification for specialty occupations. See 
Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act) section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b), 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b). 
The H-1B program allows a U.S. employer to temporarily employ a qualified foreign worker in a 
position that requires both (a) the theoretical and practical application ofa body of highly specialized 
knowledge and (b) the attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its 
equivalent) as a minimum prerequisite for entry into the position. 
The Director, California Service Center, denied the petition. The Director concluded that the 
Petitioner had not demonstrated that the proffered position qualifies as a specialty occupation 
position. 
The matter is now before us on appeal. In its appeal, the Petitioner submits additional evidence and 
asserts that the evidence of record satisfies all evidentiary requirements. 
Upon de novo review, we will dismiss the appeal. 
I. LEGAL FRAMEWORK 
Section 214(i)(l) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1184(i)(l), defines the term "specialty occupation" as an 
occupation that requires: 
(A) theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized 
knowledge, and 
, (B) attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its 
equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States. 
The regulation at 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(ii) largely restates this statutory definition, but adds a non­
exhaustive list of fields of end~avor. In addition, the regulations provide that the proffered position 
must meet one of the following criteria to qualify as a specialty occupation: 
Matter ofG-T-A-, Inc. 
(1) A baccalaureate or higher degree or its equivalent is normally the minimum 
requirement for entry into the particular position; 
(2) The degree requirement is common to the industry in parallel positions among 
similar organizations or, in the alternative, an employer may show that its 
particular position is so complex or unique that it can be performed only by an 
individual with a degree; 
(3) The employer normally requires a degree or its equivalent for the position; or 
( 4) The nature of the specific duties [is] so specialized and complex that 
knowledge required to perform the~ duties is usually associated with the 
attainment of a baccalaureate or higher degree. 
8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has consistently 
interpreted the term "degree" in the criteria at 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) to mean not just any 
baccalaureate or higher degree, but one in a specific specialty that is directly related to the proposed 
position. See Royal Siam Corp. v. Chertoff, 484 F.3d 139, 147 (1st Cir. 2007) (describing "a degree 
requirement in a specific specialty" as "one that relates directly to the duties and responsibilities of a 
particular position"); Defensor v. Meissner, 201 F.3d 384, 387 (5th Cir. 2000). 
II. PROFFERED POSITON 
In the H-lB petition, the Petitioner stated that the Beneficiary will serve as a "project manager." In a 
letter submitted with the H-lB petition, the Petitioner provided the following duty description: 
• Interact with General Manager to identify tasks and s·et priorities. 
• Develop and execute policies and goals for the various departments with General 
Manager. 
• Manage relationships with clients, factories, client customers and strategic business 
partners. 
• Develop management systems to ensure efficient access to data on factories, 
product quotations, quality control standards, mold amortizations, tooling control, 
client intellectual property, validity ofUL certifications, etc. 
• Periodic audit of factory contracts, client agreements to ensure compliance and 
"win-win" economic outcomes. 
• Supervise outbound sales communications to customers. 
• Interface with factories regarding order confirmation/quality control and deliveries. 
• Interface with accounting to prepare budgets and financial compliance, review 
financial statements and reports. 
• Directly facilitate product manufacturing. 
• Market research, prepare and execute sales promotions coordinating with General 
Manager. 
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Matter ofG-T-A-, Inc. 
• Research, locate and determine material sourcing for production of goods. 
The Petitioner stated that the proffered position requires a minimum of a four-year college degree in 
business administration with a concentration in international business, logistics, trade, or project 
management. 
III. ANALYSIS 
Upon review of the record in its totality and for the reasons set out below, we determine that the 
Petitioner has not demonstrated that the proffered position qualifies as a specialty occupation. 1 
Specifically, the record does not establish that the job duties require an educational background, or 
its equivalent, commensurate with a specialty 
occupation? 
On the labor condition application (LCA) submitted in support of the H-lB petition, the Petitioner 
designated the proffered position under the occupational category "General and Operations 
Managers" corresponding to the Standard Occupational Classification code (SOC) 11-1021.3 
However, the Petitioner later attempted to amend the job title and occupational category. In 
response to a request for evidence (RFE) and on appeal, the Petitioner changed the job title of the 
proffered position to Project Manager- Supply Chain Logistic. The Petitioner then claimed that the 
duties of the position are "very similar" to those of "Supply Chain Manager"/"Logisticians," and 
provided a revised duty description that includes logistician duties. The Petitioner also provided an 
evaluation from a professor at the 
asserting that for such positions, and for the position proffered in the in~tant case in particular, a 
minimum of a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in supply chain 
management or logistics is a normal minimum requirement. 
We observe that, if the proffered position is a Project Manager- Supply Chain Logistics position, 
then O*NET would classify it as either a "Supply Chain Manager" position, discussed 
at SOC 
1 
Although some aspects of the regulatory criteria may overlap , we will address each of the criteria individually. 
2 
The Petitioner submitted documentation to support the H-1 B petition, including evidence regarding the proffered 
position and its business operations. While we may not discuss every document submitted , we have reviewed and 
considered each one. 
3 The Petitioner classified the proffered position at a Level I wage (the lowest of four assignable wage levels). We will 
consider this selection in our analysis of the position . The "Prevailing Wage Determination Policy Guidance " issued by 
the DOL provides a description of the wage levels. A Levell wage rate is generally appropriate for positions for which 
the Petitioner expects the Beneficiary to have a basic understanding of the occupation. This wage rate indicates: (l) that 
the Beneficiary will be expected to perform routine tasks that require limited, if any, exercise of judgment; (2) that she 
will be closely supervised and her work closely monitored and reviewed for accuracy; and (3) that she will receive 
specific instructions on required tasks and expected results . U.S. Dep't of Labor, Emp't & Training Admin., Prevailing 
Wage Determination Policy Guidance, Nonagric. Immigration Programs (rev. Nov. 2009), available at 
http://tlcdatacenter.com/download/NPWHC_Guidance _Revised_Il_2009.pdf A prevailing wage determination starts 
with an entry level wage and progresses to a higher wage level after considering the experience, education, and skill 
requirements ofthe Petitioner's job opportunity. !d. ' 
3 
(b)(6)
Matter ofG-T-A-, Inc. 
11-9199.04, or as a "Logisticians" position, discussed at SOC 13-1081.4 Those pos1t10ns are 
fundamentally different from "General and Operations Manager" positions, discussed at SOC Il­
l 021. Here, the Petitioner classified the proffered position as a position at SOC 11-1021, "General 
and Operations Managers," in the LCA, then but later indicated that the "Logisticians" occupational 
category would have been more appropriate. If the proffered position was classified incorrectly as a 
"General and Operations Manager" position, then the H-lB petition could be denied as unsupported 
by an LCA that corresponds to it. 5 
In any event, a petitioner cannot offer a new position to the beneficiary, or materially change a 
position's title, its level of authority within the organizational hierarchy, or the associated job 
responsibilities. A visa petition may not be approved based on speculation of future eligibility or 
after the Petitioner or Beneficiary becomes eligible under a new set of facts. See 8 C.F.R. § 
103.2(b)(l); see also Matter of Michelin Tire Corp., 17 I&N Dec. 248, 249 (Reg'l Comm'r 1978). 
A petitioner may not make material changes to a petition in an effort to make a deficient petition 
conform to USCIS requirements. See Matter of Izummi, 22 I&N Dec. 169, 176 (Assoc. Comm'r 
1998). We will therefore analyze the H -1 B petition as one filed for a position located within the 
' ~ General and Operations Managers" occupational category, as the Petitioner claimed in the LCA, 
and the evidence submitted which discusses the proffered position by a new name, as having new 
duties, or as being located within another other occupational category will not be addressed further. 6 
4 
Notably , the prevailing wage for "Supply Chain Managers" SOC 11-9199.04 for Levell position is higher at$57 ,762 
per year , which is higher than the proffered 
http://www. tlcdatacenter.com /OesQuickResults .aspx ?code = I l-9199&area= 
Sept. 29, 20 16). 
5 The regulation at 8 C .F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(i)(B)(l) stipul ates the following: 
salary at $51 ,002 
&year= 15&source= I 
per 
(last 
Before filing a petition for H-1 8 classification in a specialty occupation, the petitioner shall obtain a 
certification from the Department of Labor that it has filed a labor condition application in the 
occupational specialty in which the alien(s) will be employed. 
year. 
visited 
While the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is the agency that certifies LCAs before they are submitted to USCIS ; DOL 
regulations note that it is within the discretion of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (i.e., its immigration 
benefits branch , USCIS) to determine whether the content of an LCA filed for a particular Form 1-129 actuall y supports 
that petition. See 20 C.F .R. § 655 .705(b), which states , in pertinent part: 
For H-iB visas ... DHS accepts the employer ' s petition (DHS Form 1-129) with the DOL certified 
LCA attached. In doing so, the DHS determin es whether the petition is supported by an LCA which 
corresponds with the petition, whether the occupation named in the [LCA] is a specialty occupation or 
whether the individual is a fashion model of distinguished merit and ability , and whether the 
qualifications of the nonimmigrant meet the statutory requirements of H-1 8 visa classification .... 
(Emphasis added .) 
6 This decision is made without prejudice toward the Petitioner's ability to file a new petition with an LCA certified for a 
position located within the occupational category the Petitioner believes to be correct. 
4 
Matter ofG-T-A-, Inc. 
A. First Criterion 
We tum next to the criterion at 8 C.P.R. §.214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A)(l), which requires that a baccalaureate 
or higher degree in a specific specialty, or its equivalent, is normally the minimum requirement for 
entry into the particular position. To inform this inquiry, we recognize the U.S. Department ofLabor's 
(DOL) Occupational Outlook Handbook (Handbook) as an authoritative source on the duties and 
educational requirements of the ~ide variety of occupations that it addresses.7 The Handbook 
discusses general and operations manager positions in thechapter entitled Top Executives. As to the 
educational requirements of those positions, it states: 
Many top executives have a bachelor's or master's degree in business administration 
or in an area related to their field of work. Top executives in the public sector often 
have a degree in business administration, public administration, law, or the liberal 
arts. Top executives of large corporations often have a master's degree in business 
administration (MBA). 
Many top executives advance within their own firm, moving up from lower level 
managerial or supervisory positions. However, other companies may prefer to hire 
qualified candidates from outside their· organization. Top executives who are 
promoted from lower level positions may be able to substitute experience for 
education to move up in the company. For example, in industries such as retail trade 
or transportation, workers without a college degree may work their way up to higher 
levels within the company to become executives or general managers. 
U.S. Dep't of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 ed., 
"Top Executives," http://www.bls.gov/oohlmanagement/top-executives.htm#tab-4 (last visited Sept. 
29, 2016). 
The Handbook does not indicate that a bachelor's degree or the equivalent, in a specific specialty, is 
normally required for entry into positions located within this occupational category. Instead, the 
Handbook finds that these positions generally impose no specific degree requirement on individuals 
seeking employment. The statement that "many" top executives, which category includes general 
and operations managers, have college degrees does not indicate that a bachelor's degree is normally 
7 All of our references are to the 2016-2017 edition of the Handbook, which may be accessed at the Internet site 
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/. We do not, however, maintain that the Handbook is the exclusive source of relevant 
information. That is, the occupational category designated by the Petitioner is considered as an aspect in establishing the 
general tasks and responsibilities of a proffered position, and USCIS regularly reviews the Handbook on the duties and 
educational requirements of the wide variety of occupations that it addresses. To satisfY the first criterion, however, the 
burden of proof remains on the Petitioner to submit sufficient evidence to support a finding that its particular position 
would normally have a minimum, specialty degree requirement, or its equivalent, for entry. 
5 
Matter ofG-T-A-, Inc. 
the rmmmum requirement for entry into this occupational category. To the contrary, such a 
statement does not even necessarily indicate that a majority oftop executives possess such a degree. 
The Handbook indicates that positions located within this occupational category, such as the one 
·proffered here, may be filled by individuals with a broad range of degrees. Its subsequent discussion 
of the training and education necessary for such employment clearly states that companies also hire 
executives based on lower-level experience within their own organizations or management 
experience with another business. Moreover, the Handbook does not state that those positions that 
do require a bachelor's degree or the equivalent require that the degree be in a specific specialty. 
Further, in designating the proffered position at a Level I wage, the Petitioner has indicated that the 
proffered position is a comparatively low, entry-level position relative to others within the 
occupation. That is, in accordance with the relevant DOL explanatory information on wage levels, 
this wage rate indicates that the Beneficiary is only required to have a basic understanding of the 
occupation and carries expectations that the Beneficiary perform routine tasks that require limited, if 
any, exercise of judgment; that she would be closely supervised; that her work would be closely 
monitored and reviewed for accuracy; and that she would receive/ specific instructions on required 
tasks and expected results. As noted above, according to DOL guidance, a statement that the job 
offer is for a research fellow, a worker in training, or an internship is indicative thata Level I wage 
should be considered. 
Further, we find that, to the extent that they are described in the record of proceedings, the numerous 
duties that the Petitioner ascribes to the proffered position indicate a need for a range of knowledge, 
but do not establish any particular level of formal, postsecondary education leading to a bachelor's 
or higher degree in a specific specialty as minimally necessary to attain such knowledge. 
Thus, the Petitioner has not satisfied the criterion at 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A)(1). 8 
B. Second Criterion 
The second criterion presents two, alternative prongs: "The degree requirement is common to the 
industry in parallel positions among similar organizations or, in the alternative, an employer may 
show that its particular p_osition is so complex or unique that it can be performed only by an 
individual with a degree[.]" 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A)(2) (emphasis added). The first prong 
8 Even if we considered the proffered position located within the "Logisticians" occupational category, as the Petitioner 
now claims, a review of the Handbook does not indicate that, simply by virtue of its occupational classification, such a 
position qualifies as a specialty occupation in that the Handbook does not state a normal minimum requirement of a U.S. 
bachelor's or higher degree in a specific specialty, or its equivalent, for entry into the occupation. See U.S. Dep't 6f 
Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 ed., "Logisticians," 
http://www.bls.gov/oohlbusiness-and-financial/logisticians.htm (last visited Sep. 29, 2016). As such, absent evidence 
that the position of logistician satisfies one of the alternative criteria available under 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A), the 
instant petition could not be approved for this additional reason. 
6 
(b)(6)
Matter ofG-T-A- , Inc. 
casts its gaze upon the common industry practice, while the alternative prong narrows its focus to the 
Petitioner's specific position. 
1. First Prong 
To satisfy this first prong of the second criterion, the Petitioner must establish that the "degree 
requirement " (i.e., a requirement of a bachelor's or higher degree in a specific specialty, o~ its 
equivalent) is common to the industry in parallel positions among similar organizations. 
In determining whether there is such a common degree requirement, factors often considered by 
USCIS include: whether the Handbook reports that the industry requires a degree; whether the 
industry's professional association has made a degree a minimum entry requirement; and whether 
letters or affidavits from firms or individuals in the industry attest that such firms "routinely employ 
and recruit only degreed individuals." See Shanti, Inc. v. Reno, 36 F. Supp. 2d 1151, 1165 (D. Minn. 
1999) (quoting Hird/Blaker Corp. v. Sava, 712 F. Supp. 1095, 1102 (S.D.N.Y. 1989)). 
Here and as already discussed, the Petitioner has not established that its proffered position is one for 
which the Handbook (or other independent , authoritative source) reports an industry-wide 
requirement for at least a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty or its equivalent. Thus, we 
incorporate by reference the previous discussion on the matter. Also, there are no submissions from 
the industry's professional association indicating that it has made a degree a min!mum entry 
requirement. 
The Petitioner did provide two letters from other compames that appear to generally conduct 
business in the Petitioner 's industry. While the president of states that a bachelor 's degree is 
the normal entry requirement for a Project Manager- Supply Chain Logistics, he does not state that 
such a position would require a degree in any specific specialty. The president of that company 
further states, "Our Company employs 60 people in positions similar to that of Project Manager -
Supply Chain Logistics. All our employees have at least a bachelor degree with emphasis in the 
industry that they are serving." Again, we note that the proffered position is not designated a supply 
chain logistics position on the accompanying LCA . For this additional reason, that letter is not 
persuasive evidence for the proposition that the proffered position requires a minimum of a 
· bachelor's degree in a specific specialty or its equivalent. 
The other letter is from the president and CEO of As to the proffered position, 
he stated, "[B]ecause this position is designed to service the nursery industry, a degree in forestry 
and/or horticultural science would be an entry level requirement." As those degrees are not required 
to perform the duties of the proffered position, the position described in this letter does not appear 
"parallel" to the one proffered here. 
The Petitioner did not submit any other relevant evidence for our consideration under this criterion . 
Thus, the Petitioner has not satisfied the first alternative prong of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A)(2). 
7 
Matter ofG-T-A-, Inc. 
2. Second Prong 
We will next consider the second alternative prong of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A)(2), which is 
satisfied if the Petitioner shows that its particular position is so complex or unique that it can be 
performed only by an individual with at least a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty, or its 
equivalent. 
A review of the record of proceedings finds that the Petitioner has not credibly demonstrated that the 
duties the Beneficiary will be responsible for or perform on a day-to-day basis constitute a position 
so complex or unique that it can only be performed by a person with at least a bachelor's degree in a 
specific specialty, or its equivalent. Even when considering the Petitioner's general descriptions of 
the proffered position's duties, the evidence of record does not establish why a few related courses 
or industry experience alone is insufficient preparation for the proffered position. While related 
courses may be beneficial, or even required, in performing certain duties of the position, the 
Petitioner has not demonstrated how an established curriculum of such courses leading to a 
baccalaureate or higher degree in a specific specialty, or its equivalent, is required to perform the 
duties ofthe proffered position. The description of the duties does not specifically identify any tasks 
that are so complex or unique that only a specifically degreed individual could perform them. The 
record lacks sufficiently detailed information to distinguish the proffered position as more complex 
or unique from other positions that can be performed by persons without at least a bachelor's degree 
in a specific specialty, or its equivalent. 
This is further evidenced by the LCA submitted by the Petitioner in support of the instant 
petition. As noted above, the Petitioner attested on the submitted LCA that the wage level for the 
proffered position is a Level I (entry-level) wage. Such a wage level is for a position which only 
requires a basic understanding of the occupation; the performance of routine tasks that require 
limited, if any, exercise of judgment; close supervision and work closely monitored and reviewed for 
accuracy; and the receipt of specific instructions on required tasks and expected results, is contrary 
to a position that requires the performance of complex duties.9 It is, instead, a position for an 
employee who has only basic understanding of the occupation. In order to attempt to show that 
parallel positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty or its equivalent, 
the Petitioner would be obliged to demonstrate that other entry-level positions in the occupational 
category that require only a basic understanding of the duties of such positions similarly require a 
9 The issue here is that the Petitioner's designation of this position as a Level I, entry-level position undermines its claim 
that the position is particularly complex, specialized, or unique compared to other positions within the same 
occupation. Nevertheless, it is important to note that a Level I wage-designation does not preclude a proffered position 
from classification as a specialty occupation. In certain occupations (doctors or lawyers, for example), an entry-level 
position would still require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty, or its equivalent, for 
entry. Similarly, however, a Level IV wage-designation would not reflect that an occupation qualifies as a specialty 
occupation if that higher-level position does not have an entry requirement of at least a bachelor's degree in a specific 
specialty or its equivalent. That is, a position's wage level designation may be a consideration but is not a substitute for 
a determination ofwhether a proffered position meets the requirements of section 214(i)(l) ofthe Act. 
8 
(b)(6)
Matter ofG-T-A- , Inc. 
minimum of a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty or its equivalent, the proposition of which is 
not supported by the Handbook. 
Therefore, the evidence of record does not establish that this position is significantly different from 
other positions in the occupation such that it refutes the Handbook's information to the effect that 
there is a spectrum of degrees acceptable for such positions, including degrees not in a specific 
specialty. In other words, the record lacks sufficiently detailed information to distinguish the 
proffered position as unique from or more complex than positions that can be performed by persons 
without at least a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty, or its equivalent. 
As the Petitioner did not demonstrate how the proffered position is so complex or unique relative to 
other positions within the same occupational category that do not require at least a baccalaureate 
degree in a specific specialty or its equivalent for entry into the occupation in the United States, it 
cannot be concluded that the Petitioner has satisfied the second alternative prong of 8 C.F.R. 
§ 214.2(h)( 4 )(iii)(A)(2). 
C. Third Criterion 
The third criterion of 8 C.F .R. § 214.2(h)( 4 )(iii)( A) entails an employer demonstrating that it 
normally requires a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty, or its equivalent, for the position. 
In its response to the RFE, the Petitioner stated: 
As reflected on the attached organizational chart, Exhibit F, Petitioner employs six 
individuals and all of them have or (the newest employee) are near achieving a 
bachelor. 
degree. Moreover, employees that are supervised by beneficiary hold 
bachelor's degrees. Project Assistant Manager, has a Bachelor of 
Business administration from the at Exhibit G. 
It is well established that an individual who supervises professionals is a professional 
himself or herself. 
The pertinent statute indicates that, to qualify for H-1 B approval , a position must require a minimum 
of a bachelor 's degree in a specific specialty or its equivalent. Section 214(i)(l) ofthe Act. Whether 
a position qualifies as "professional " is not directly relevant. 
The Petitioner's organizational chart shows that, in addition to its president, the Petitioner employs a 
staff accountant; a "Project Manager, International Supply Chain Management" (the Beneficiary) ; an 
"Admin/lmport Compliance Specialist; a sales manager; and a project assistant manager. As none of 
these positions has been shown to be the same as the proffered position, their educational 
requirements of those other positions are not directly relevant. 
9 
Matter ofG-T-A-, Inc. 
The Petitioner stated .in the H-lB petition, that it was established in 2004. However, the record 
contains insufficient evidence pertinent to the educational requirements the Petitioner required in its 
recruitment for the position or pertinent to anyone who has held the proffered position prior to the 
Beneficiary. Therefore, the Petitioner has not satisfied the criterion at 8 C.F.R. 
§ 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A)(3). 10 
D. Fourth Criterion 
The fourth criterion at 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) requires a petitioner to establish that the nature 
of the specific duties is so specialized and complex that the knowledge required to perform them is 
usually associated with the attainment of a baccalaureate or higher degree in a specific specialty, or 
its equivalent. 
In the instant case, relative specialization and complexity have not been sufficiently developed by 
the Petitioner as an aspect of the proffered position. We again refer to our earlier comments and 
findings with regard to the implication of the Petitioner's designation of the proffered position in the 
LCA as a Level I (the lowest of four assignable levels) wage. That is, the Level I wage designation 
is indicative of a low, entry-level position relative to others within the occupational category, and 
hence one not likely distinguishable by relatively specialized and complex duties. Upon review of 
the totality of the record, we find that the Petitioner has not established that the nature of the specific 
duties is so specialized and complex that the knowledge required to perform the duties is usually 
associated with the attainment of a baccalaureate or higher degree in a specific specialty, or its 
equivalent. 11 The Petitioner has not demonstrated in the record that its proffered position is one with 
duties sufficiently specialized and complex to satisfy 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A)(4). 
IV. CONCLUSION 
Because the Petitioner has not satisfied one ofthe criteria at 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A), it has not 
demonstrated that the proffered position qualifies as a specialty occupation. 
10 
While a petitioner may believe or otherwise assert that a proffered position requires a degree in a specific specialty, 
that opinion alone without corroborating evidence cannot establish the position as a specialty occupation. Were USCIS 
limited solely to reviewing a petitioner's claimed self-imposed requirements, then any individual with a bachelor's 
degree could be brought to the United States to perform any occupation as long as the employer artificially created a 
token Clegree requirement, whereby all individuals employed in a particular position possessed a baccalaureate or higher 
degree in the specific specialty or its equivalent. See Defensor v. Meissner, 201 F. 3d at 387. In other words, if a 
petitioner's degree requirement is only symbolic and the proffered position does not in fact require such a specialty 
degree or its equivalent to perform its duties, the occupation would not meet the statutory or regulatory definition of a 
specialty occupation. See section 214(i)(l) of the Act; 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(ii) (defining the term "specialty 
occupation"). 
11 Again, the Petitioner's designation of this position as a Level I, entry-level position undermines its claim that the 
position is particularly complex, specialized, or unique compared to other positions within the same occupation. 
10 
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Matter ofG-T-A-, Inc. 
The burden is on the Petitioner to show eligibility for the immigration benefit sought. Section 291 of 
the Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1361; Matter of Otiende, 26 I&N Dec. 127, 128 (BIA 2013). Here, that burden 
has not been met. 
ORDER: The appeal is dismissed. 
Cite as Matter ofG-T-A-, Inc., ID# 123239 (AAO Sept. 30, 2016) 
1 1