remanded H-1B Case: Education

U.S. Department oPHometand Security 
20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Rm. A3042 
Washington, DC 20529 
FILE: EAC 03 248 54575 Office: VERMONT SERVICE CENTER Date: 1 4 2005 
PETITION: Petition for a Nonirnrnigrant Worker Pursuant to Section lOl(a)(lS)(H)(i)(b) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 5 1 10 1 (a)( 15)(H)(i)(b) 
ON BEHALF OF PETITIONER: 
INSTRUCTIONS : 
This is the decision of the Administrative Appeals Office in your case. All documents have been returned to 
the office that originally decided your case. Any further inquiry must be made to that office. 
Robert P. Wiemann, Director 
Administrative Appeals Office 
EAC 03 248 54575 
Page 2 
DISCUSSION. The service center director denied the nonimmigrant visa petition and the matter is now before 
the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) on appeal. The director's decision will be withdrawn and the matter 
remanded for entry of a new decision. 
The petitioner is an international college that seeks to employ the beneficiary as a senior admissions officer. 
The petitioner endeavors to classify the beneficiary as a nonimrnigrant worker in a specialty occupation pursuant 
to section lOl(a)(lS)(H)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act), 8 U.S.C. 
§ 1 lOl(a)( 15)(H)(i)(b). 
The director denied the petition because the beneficiary was not qualified to perform the duties of the 
proffered position. On appeal, counsel submits a statement. 
Section 214(i)(2) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1184(i)(2), states that an alien applying for classification as an H-1B 
nonirnmigrant worker must possess full state licensure to practice in the occupation, if such licensure is 
required to practice in the occupation, and completion of the degree in the specialty that the occupation 
requires. If the alien does not possess the required degree, the petitioner must demonstrate that the alien has 
experience in the specialty equivalent to the completion of such degree, and recognition of expertise in the 
specialty through progressively responsible positions relating to the specialty. 
Pursuant to 8 C.F.R. 3 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(C), to qualify to perform services in a specialty occupation, an alien 
must meet one of the following criteria: 
(I) Hold a United States baccalaureate or higher degree required by the specialty 
occupation from an accredited college or university; 
(2) Hold a foreign degree determined to be equivalent to a United States baccalaureate or 
higher degree required by the specialty occupation from an accredited college or 
university; 
(3) Hold an unrestricted state license, registration or certification which authorizes him 
or her to fully practice the specialty occupation and be immediately engaged in that 
specialty in the state of intended employment; or 
(4) Have education, specialized training, and/or progressively responsible experience 
that is equivalent to completion of a United States baccalaureate or higher degree in 
the specialty occupation, and have recognition of expertise in the specialty through 
progressively responsible positions directly related to the specialty. 
The record of proceeding before the AAO contains, in part: (1) Form 1-129 and supporting documentation; 
(2) the director's request for additional evidence; (3) the petitioner's response to the director's request; (4) the 
director's denial letter; (5) the petitioner's motion to reopen; (6) the director's decision affirming her previous 
decision; and (7) Form I-290B and supporting documentation. The AAO reviewed the record in its entirety 
before issuing its decision. 
EAC 03 248 54575 
Page 3 
The petitioner is seeking the beneficiary's services as a senior admissions officer. The petitioner indicated in 
its May 28,2003 letter of support that it wished to hire the beneficiary because he is multi-lingual, possesses a 
bachelor's degree and several years of supervisory work experience. 
The director found that the beneficiary was not qualified for the proffered position because the beneficiary's 
education is unrelated to the occupation. In particular, the director found that the occupation required a 
degree in marketing or public relations. On appeal, counsel states that while public relations or marketing are 
desirable skills for a senior admissions officer, the position requires many other skills, as well, and the 
beneficiary's education and experience are related to the skills needed for the proffered position. 
Upon review of the record, the petitioner has established that the beneficiary is qualified to perform an 
occupation that does not require a baccalaureate degree in any specific field. The petitioner submitted an 
evaluation from World Education Services, Inc., which states that the beneficiary's foreign degrees are 
equivalent to bachelor's and master's degrees from a U.S. college or university in music and musical 
pedagogy. 
The petition still may not be approved, however, as it does not appear that the position is a specialty occupation. 
The petition will be remanded, as the director did not address the issue of whether the proffered position is a 
specialty occupation. The AAO notes that the petitioner did not state that a degree in a specific specialty is 
required for the position. In addition, its other admissions officers have degrees in medicine, economics and 
social communications and journalism. The AAO also notes that the Department of Labor's Occupational 
Outlook Handbook (Handbook) indicates that admissions directors and registrars sometimes start in related 
staff jobs with bachelor's degrees-any field usually is acceptable-and obtain advanced degrees in college 
student affairs, counseling, or higher education administration. In addition, the Internet job listings submitted 
by counsel do not indicate that a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty is required for the position. 
Section 214(i)(l) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 5 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. 
Pursuant to 8 C.F.R. 5 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A), to qualify as a specialty occupation, the position must meet one of 
the following criteria: 
(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; 
EAC 03 248 54575 
Page 4 
(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. 
Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) interprets 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 proffered position. 
The director may afford the petitioner reasonable time to provide evidence pertinent to the issue of whether 
the proffered position is a specialty occupation. The director shall then render a new decision based on the 
evidence of record as it relates to the regulatory requirements for eligibility. As always, the burden of proving 
eligibility for the benefit sought remains entirely with the petitioner. Section 291 of the Act, 8 U.S.C. $ 1361. 
ORDER: The director's May 17, 2004 decision is withdrawn. The petition is remanded to the director for 
entry of a new decision, which if adverse to the petitioner, is to be certified to the AAO for 
review.