dismissed H-1B Case: Operations Research

U.S. Citizenship 
and Immigration 
Services 
MATTER OF P-D-S-
' ' 
Non-Precedent Decision of the 
Administrative Appeals Office 
DATE: JULY31,2017 
APPEAL OF CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER DECISION 
PETITION: FORM I-129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER 
The Petitioner, an administrative and business- support services company, seeks to temporarily 
employ the Beneficiary as an "operations research analyst" under the H-lB nonimmigrant 
classification. See Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act) section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b), 8 U.S.C. 
§ 1101(a)(l5)(H)(i)(b). The H-lB program allows a U.S. empioyer to temporarily employ a 
qualified foreign worker in a position that requires both (a) the theoretical and practical application 
of a 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 of the California Service Center denied the petition, concluding that the evidence of 
record was insufficient to establish, as required, that the proffered position is a specialty occupation. 
On appeal, the Petitioner submits a brief and additional evidence, and asserts that the Director's 
decision was erroneous. 
Upon de novo review, we will dismiss the appeal. 1 
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. 
1 We follow the preponderance of the evidence standard as specified in Matter of Chawathe, 25 I&N Dec. 369, 375-76 
(AAO 2010). 
Matter of P-D-S-
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 endeavor. In addition, the regulations provide that the proffered 
position must meet one of the following criteria to qualify as a specialty occupation: 
(I) 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). We have consistently interpreted the term "degree" 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 POSITION 
The Petitioner identified the proffered position as an "operations research analyst," and provided the 
following list of duties of the proffered position in response to the Director's request for evidence 
(RFE): 
• Be able to influence the strategic direction of the company by identifying 
opportunities in large, rich data sets and create and implement data driven 
strategies that fuel growth, including revenue and profits. 
• Provide direction and guidance on the use of technology that helps build an 
overall analytical architecture that will be used as a foundation for the analytics 
team and the organization as a whole. 
• Design and implement statistical/predictive models and cutting edge algorithms 
utilizing diverse sources of data to predict demand, risk and price elasticity. 
• Analyze analytical applications to identify trends and relationships between 
different pieces of data, draw appropriate conclusions and translate analytical 
finding into risk management and marketing strategies that drive value. 
• Collaborate with product teams and support out internal data platform and support 
ongoing analyses. 
2 
Matter of P-D-S-
• Develop tools and reports that help users access and analyze data resulting in 
higher revenues and margins and a better customer experience. 
• Analyze reports, develop new and improved methods of reporting on data, using 
software programs such as SQL, Python, MATLAB, Azure MI, and more. 
• Strategize ways of improving programs and processes; implement and execute 
new strategies; deliver on established KPis. 
I 
• Manage the data collection for report generating as well as create and update 
daily, weekly, and monthly reporting dashboards to be distributed internally. 
• Provide statistical information for websites and campaigns. 
• Create training material to educate relevant internal stakeholders of essential 
functions. 
• Manage online reputation by keeping individual listings up to date. 
• Serve as liaison for offices and online reviewers. 
• Examine trends with online directories and identify areas of potential 
improvements. 
The Petitioner stated that these duties "can only be performed by an individual who has attained at a 
minimum a [bachelor's] degree." 
III. ANALYSIS 
As a preliminary matter, the Petitioner's' claim that a bachelor's degree is a sufficient minimum 
requirement for entry into the proffered position is inadequate to establish that the proposed position 
qualifies as a specialty occupation. A petitioner must demonstrate that the proffered position 
requires a precise and specific course of study that relates directly and closely to the position in 
question. There must be a close correlation between the required specialized studies and the 
position; thus, the mere requirement of a degree, without further specification, does not establish the 
position as a specialty occupation. C.f Matter of Michael Hertz Assocs., 19 I&N Dec. 558, 560 
(Comm'r 1988) ("The mere requirement of a college degree for the sake of general education, or to 
obtain what an employer perceives to be a higher caliber employee, also does not establish 
eligibility."). Thus, while a general-purpose bachelor's degree may be a legitimate prerequisite for a 
particular position, requiring such a degree, without more, will not justify a finding th~t a particular 
position qualifies for classification as a specialty occupation. Royal Siam Corp., 484 F .3d at 14 7. 
The Petitioner asserts that its minimum requirement for the proffered position is only a bachelor's 
degree, without further requiring that the degree be in any specific specialty. Without more, the 
Petitioner's statement alone indicates that the proffered position is not in fact a specialty 
occupation. The Director's decision must therefore be affirmed and the appeal dismissed on this 
basis alone. 
3 
Matter of P-D-S-
Nevertheless, we will review the Petitioner's general description of duties and the evidence of record 
to determine whether the proffered position as described would qualify for classification as a 
specialty occupation.2 To that end and to make our determination as to whether the employment 
described ·above qualifies as a specialty occupation, we turn to the criteria at 8 C.F .R. 
§ 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A): 
A. First Criterion 
We turn first to the criterion at 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A)(J), 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 of Labor's 
(DOL) Occupational Outlook Handbook (Handbook) as an authoritative source on the duties and 
educational requirements of the wide variety of occupations that it addresses.3 
On the labor condition application (LCA)4 submitted in support of the H-1 B petition, the Petitioner 
designated the proffered position under the occupational category "Operations Research Analysts," 
corresponding to the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code 15-2031 at a Level I wage. 
5 
The subchapter of the Handbook entitled "How to Become an Operations Research Analyst" states, 
in relevant part, "although some employers prefer to hire applicants with a master's degree, many 
entry-level positions are available for those with a bachelor's degree." The Handbook further stated 
that while "some schools offer bachelor's and advanced degree programs in operations research, 
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 
All of our references are to the 2016-17 edition of the Handbook, which may be accessed at the Internet site 
http://www.b1s.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 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 
regularly reviews the Handbook on the duties and educational requirements of the wide ~ariety 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. 
4 
The Petitioner is required to submit a certified LCA to USC IS to demonstrate that it will pay an H-1 B worker the 
higher of either the prevailing wage for the occupational classification in the "area of employment" or the actual wage 
paid by the employer to' other employees with similar experience and qualifications who are performing the same 
services. See Matter ofSimeio Solutions, LLC, 26 I&N Dec. 542, 545-546 (AAO 20 15). 
5 A Level I 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: (1) that the Beneficiary will be expected to perform 
routine tasks that require limited, if any, exercise of judgment; (2) that he will be closely supervised and his work closely 
monitored and reviewed for accuracy; and (3) that he 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_ll_2009.pdf A prevailing wage determination starts with an entry level wage and progresses to a higher wag~ 
level after considering· the experience, education, and skill requirements of the Petitioner's job opportunity. !d. 
4 
Matter of P-D-S-
some analysts have degrees in other technical or quantitative fields, such as engineering, computer 
science, analytics, or mathematics." Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Dep't of Labor, Occupational 
Outlook Handbook, Operations Research Analysts (20 16-17 ed. ). 
The Handbook does not indicate that at least a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty or its equivalent 
is required for the proffered position. Instead, it inaicates that courses in various fields such as 
engineering, mathematics, computer science, econo~ics, and political science are useful because 
"operations research is a multidisciplinary field with a wide variety of applications." The Handbook, 
therefore, does not support a claim that "Operations Research Analysts" comprise an occupational 
group for which at least a bachelor's degree in a spec?fic specialty, or its equivalent, is normally the 
minimum requirement for entry into the occupation. 
We have reviewed the Petitioner's reference to the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center's Online 
Wage Library report for the occupation of operations research analyst. The Petitioner relies on the 
report's assignment of an Education & Training Code "3 - Master's degree" as evidence that the 
proffered position is a specialty occupation. However, the report does not indicate that the master's 
degrees that may be required by such occupations, included in the Occupational Information 
Network (O*NET) OnLine's Job Zone "Five," must be in a specific specialty directly related to the 
occupation. Therefore, this information does not establish the proffered position as a specialty 
occupation. 
On appeal, the Petitioner cites to Residential Finance Corp. v. USCIS, 839 F. Supp. 2d 985 (S.D. 
Ohio 2012), which is often cited for the proposition that "[t]he knowledge and not the title of the 
degree is what is important. Diplomas rarely come bearing occupation-specific majors. What is 
required is an occupation that requires highly specialized knowledge and a prospective employee 
who has attained the credentialing indicating possession of that knowledge." 
We agree with the aforementioned proposition that "[t]he knowledge and not the title of the degree is 
what is important." In general, provided the specialties are closely related, e.g., chemistry and 
biochemistry, a minimum of a bachelor's or higher degree in more than one specialty is recognized 
as satisfying the "degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent)" requirement of section 
214(i)(l )(B) of the Act. In such a case, the required "body of highly specialized knowledge" would 
essentially be the same. Since there must be a close correlation between the reqJired "body of 
highly specialized knowledge" and the position, however, a minimum entry requirement of a degree 
in two disparate fields, such as philosophy and engineering, would not meet the statutory 
requirement that the degree be "in the specific specialty (or its equivalent)," unless the Petitioner 
est~blishes how each field is directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the particular 
position such that the required body of ~ighly specialized knowledge is essentially an amalgamation 
of these different specialties. Section 214(i)(l )(B) of the Act (emphasis added). However, as 
discussed, the Petitioner has not established that the particular positi'on offered in this matter requires 
a bachelor's or higher degree in a specific specialty, or its equivalent, directly related to its duties in 
order to perform those tasks. 
5 
Matter of P-D-S-
In any event, the Petitioner has furnished no evidence to establish that the facts of the instant petition 
are analogous to those in Residential Finance. 6 We also note that, in contrast to the broad 
precedential authority of the case law of a United States circuit court, we are not bound to follow the 
published decision of a United States district court in matters arising even within the same 
district. See Matter of K-S-, 20 I&N Dec. 715, 719-20 (BIA 1993 ). Although the reasoning 
underlying a district judge's decision will be given due consideration when it is properly before us, 
the analysis does not have to be followed as a matter of law. !d. It is important to note that in a 
subsequent case reviewed in the same jurisdiction, the court agreed with our analysis of Residential 
Finance. See Health Carousel, LLC v. USCIS, No. 1:13-CV-23, 2014 WL 29591 (S.D. Ohio 2014). 
Upon review of the totality of the record, the Petitioner has not satisfied the criterion at 8 C.F.R. 
§ 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A)(l). 
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 position 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 
concentrates 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, or its 
equivalent) is common to the industry in parallel positions among similar organizations. 
We generally consider the following sources of evidence to determine if there is such a common 
degree requirement: 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 establish 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) 
(considering these "factors" to inform the commonality of a degree requirement)). 
6 
It is noted that the district judge's decision in that case appears to have been based largely on the many factual errors 
made by the Director in the decision denying the petition. We further note that the Director's decision was not appealed 
to us. Based on the district court's findings and description of the record, if that matter had first been appealed through 
the available administrative process, we may very well have remanded the matter to the service center for a new decision 
for many of the same reasons articulated by the district court if these errors could not have been remedied by us in our de 
novo review of the matter. 
6 
Matter of P-D-S-
Here and as already discussed, the Petitioner has not established that its proffered position is one for 
which the Handbook (or other independent, authoritative sources) 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 minimum entry 
requirement. 
We have reviewed the advertisements the Petitioner submitted both in response to the RFE and on 
appeal to establish that its requirements to perform the proffered position are an industry standard. 
However, for the Petitioner to establish that an advertising organization is similar, it must 
demonstrate that the Petitioner and the organization share the same general characteristics. Without 
such evidence, postings submitted by a Petitioner are generally outside the scope of consideration for 
this criterion, which encompasses only organizations that are similar to the Petitioner. When 
determining whether the Petitioner and the advertising organization share the same general 
characteristics, such factors may include information regarding the nature or type of organization, 
and, when pertinent, the particular scope of operations, as well as the level of revenue and staffing 
(to list just a few elements that may be considered). 
We note that the Petitioner did not provide any independent evidence of how representative the job 
advertisements are of the particular advertising employer's recruiting history for the type of job 
advertised. As the advertisements are only solicitations for hire, they are not evidence of the 
employer's actual hiring practices. Upon review of the documents, we find that they do not establish 
that a requirement for a bachelor's degree, in a specific specialty, is common to the Petitioner's 
industry in similar organizations for parallel positions to the proffered position. 
Specifically, we note that almost all of the postings require a minimum of two years of experience in 
the industry, with several requiring a minimum of three years to five years of experience. For 
example, the posting by P-, Inc. solicits a senior operations analyst with "3 years of experience 
required- 5 years preferred." Moreover, the posting by F-, which describes the position as a "Sr. 
Manager/Director, Analytics & Intelligence" in the body of the advertisement, requires at least "5-8 
years' experience in business/marketing analytics function." The positions identified in many of th~ 
submitted postings, therefore, appear to be higher-level positions than the position proffered in this 
matter, which is an entry-level position by virtue of its Level I wage level designation. 7 
Additionally, we note that many of the postings are for different positions than that of an operations 
research analyst. For example, the posting from K-P- solicits a national market research analyst, 
whereas the posting by A-D- is for a manager of statistical analysis. Moreover, nearly all of the 
postings either state a general requirement for a bachelor's degree without specialization, or provide 
7 
The DOL wage-level guidance referenced above states that the word "senior" in a job title is an indicator that a Level 
III wage should be considered. 
.
Matter of P-D-S-
a list of numerous disparate fields that would be acceptable for entry into the position. The 
advertisements, therefore, do not offer a consensus on the type of degree that is required. 8 
The Petitioner also submits copies of profiles obtained from the website for 
individuals it claims are employed in similar positions either within its organization or in other 
dental companies. The Petitioner asserts that these profiles further demonstrate a common degree 
requirement among parallel positions within the Petitioner's industry. 
Upon review, we note that most of the profiles submitted reference the individuals' experience in the 
fields of business and data analysis, which suggests that they are not akin to the proffered position 
here, which is identified as operations research analyst. Nevertheless, the information set forth in 
these online profiles, including the actual duties performed by these individuals and the educational 
requirements imposed by their employers cannot be independently verified, thereby diminishing the 
Petitioner's claim that these profiles establish a common degree requirement within the 
Petitioner's industry. 
The job advertisements and profiles do not establish that similar organizations to the 
Petitioner routinely employ individuals with degrees in a specific specialty, in parallel positions in 
the Petitioner's industry.9 As .the record does not establish that a "degree requirement" (i.e., a 
requirement of a bachelor's or higher degree in a specific specialty, or its equivalent) is common to 
the industry in parallel positions among similar organizations, the Petitioner has not satisfied the first 
alternative prong of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A)(2). 
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. 
The Petitioner stated that the proffered position simply requires a bachelor's degree in any field. In 
response to the RFE, the Petitioner emphasized that the Beneficiary's foreign bachelor's degree, 
8 Even if all of the job postings indicated that a requirement of a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty is common to 
the industry in parallel positions among similar organizations (which they do not), the Petitioner has not demonstrated 
what statistically valid inferences, if any, can be drawn from the advertisements with regard to determining the common 
educational requirements for entry into parallel positions in similar organizations. See generally Earl Babbie, The 
Practice of Social Research 186-228 ( 1995). Moreover, given that there is no indication that the advertisements were 
randomly selected, the validity of any such inferences could not be accurately determined even if the sampling unit were 
sufficiently large. See id. at 195-196 (explaining that "[r]andom selection is the key to [the] process [of probability 
sampling]" and that "random selection offers access to the body of probability theory, which provides the basis for 
estimates of population parameters and estimates of error"). 
9 
As the documentation does not establish that the Petitioner has met this prong of the regulations, further analysis 
regarding the specific information contained in each of the job postings is not necessary. That is, not every deficit of 
every job posting has been addressed. 
8 
Matter of P-D-S-
} 
deemed equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree in bioengineering, and his U.S. master's degree in 
biomedical engineering qualify him for the position.'' While the completion of courses in this field 
may be beneficial, in performing certain duties of an operations research analyst 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 of the proffered position. In fact, the duties as described by the Petitioner, which include tasks 
such as "manage online reputation by keeping individual listings up to date" and "serve as liaison for 
offices and online reviewers" do not appear to be so complex or unique such that a degree in 
biotechnology or biomedical engineering, or other specific specialty, would be necessary to perform 
them. 
This is further evidenced by the LCA submitted by the Petitioner in support of the instant petition. 
Again, the LCA indicates that, relative to other positions located within the "Operations Research 
Analysts" occupational category, the Beneficiary would perform only routine tasks that require 
limited, if any, exercise of judgment; his work would be closely supervised, monitored and reviewed 
for accuracy; and that he would receive specific instructions on required tasks and expected results. 
Without further evidence, the evidence does not demonstrate that the proffered position is so 
complex or unique as such a position falling under this occupational category would likely be 
classified at a higher-level, such as a Level III (experienced) or Level IV (fully competent) 
position. 1° For example, a Level IV (fully competent) position is designated by DOL for employees 
who "use advanced skills and diversified knowledge to solve unusual and complex problems." 
The Petitioner claims that the Beneficiary is well-qualified for the position, and repeatedly 
references his.formal education and experience as evidence that the proffered position is a specialty 
occupation. However, the test to establish a position as a specialty occupation is not the education or 
experience of a proposed beneficiary, but whether the position itself requires at least a bachelor's 
degree in a specific specialty, or its equivalent. Here, the Petitioner did not sufficiently develop 
relative complexity or uniqueness as an aspect of the duties of the position, and it did not identify 
any tasks that are so complex or unique that only a specifically degreed individual could perform 
them. Thus, 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). 
10 
The issue here is that the Petitioner's designation of this position as a Level I 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), such a 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 
of whether a proffered position meets the requirements of section 214(i)(l) of the Act. 
9 
Matter of P-D-S-
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. The 
record must establish that a petitioner's stated degree requirement is not a matter of preference for 
high-caliber candidates but is necessitated insjead by performance requirements of the position. See 
Defensor, 201 F.3d at 387-88. If we were limited solely to reviewing the 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 Petitioner created a token degree 
requirement. !d. Evidence provided in support of this criterion may include, but is not limited to, 
documentation regarding the Petitioner's past recruitment and hiring practices, as well as 
information regarding employees who previously held the position. 
The Petitioner stated in the H-lB petition that it was established in 2005 and has more than 4,000 
employees. Upon review of the record, we find that the Petitioner did not submit sufficient 
information regarding employees who currently or previously held the particular position being 
offered here. The Petitioner submitted copies of resumes and diplomas for a number of individuals, 
asserting that these documents show that other individuals employed by the Petitioner in the same or 
similar positions possess at least a bachelor's degree. There is no evidence, however, to confirm that 
any of these individuals are currently or were previously employed by the Petitioner, nor does the 
Petitioner clarify what positions these individuals held within the company. Further, the individuals 
for whom credentials were submitted appear to possess a wide array of degrees in various fields. 
The record, therefore, does not establish that the Petitioner normally requires at least a bachelor's 
degree in a specific specialty, or its equivalent, directly related to the duties of the position. 
Therefore, the Petitioner has not satisfied the criterion at 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A)(3). 
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. 
The Petitioner asserts that the job duties of the proffered position are specialized and complex, and 
submits samples of the Beneficiary's work product in support of this assertion. While we do not doubt 
that the Beneficiary's educational background provides him with a foundation to perform the duties of 
the proffered position, the evidence submitted does not establish that these duties are so specialized and 
complex that they normally require an individual to obtain a baccalaureate or higher degree in a 
specific specialty to perform them. We 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 wage, and 
hence one not likely distinguishable by relatively specialized and complex duties. We have also 
reviewed the Petitioner's description of duties. While we understand that the Beneficiary must have 
10 
Matter of P-D-S-
some technical knowledge in orde.r to perform these duties, the Petitioner has not sufficiently explained 
how these duties require the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized 
knowledge, and the 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 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 
The Petitioner has not established that the proffered position is a specialty occupation. 
ORDER: The appeal is dismissed. 
Cite as Matter of P-D-S-, ID# 283927 (AAO July 31, 2017) 
II