remanded
H-1B
remanded H-1B Case: Information Technology
Decision Summary
The decision was remanded because the Director's denial was procedurally insufficient. The Director denied the petition based on the beneficiary's qualifications without first properly analyzing whether the proffered position qualified as a specialty occupation. The AAO sent the case back for the Director to consider the specialty occupation issue first and issue a new decision.
Criteria Discussed
Specialty Occupation Beneficiary Qualifications Wage Level
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U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration
Services
MATTER OF V- INC.
Non-Precedent Decision of the
Administrative Appeals Office
DATE: SEPT. 19, 2019
APPEAL OF CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER DECISION
PETITION: FORM 1-129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER
The Petitioner, a company engaged in information technology services, seeks to temporarily employ the
Beneficiary as a "software engineer" under the H-lB nonimmigrant classification for specialty
occupations . See Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act) section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b), 8 U.S.C.
Β§ 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b). The H-lB 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 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 record does not
establish that the Beneficiary is qualified for the proffered position. On appeal, the Petitioner asserts
that the Director erred in the decision.
While we conduct de nova review on appeal, we conclude that a remand is warranted in this case
because the Director's decision is insufficient for review . Specifically , the Director is required to
follow long-standing legal standards and determine first, whether the proffered position qualifies for
classification as a specialty occupation, and second, whether the Beneficiary was qualified for the
position at the time the nonimmigrant visa petition was filed. Cf Matter of Michael Hertz Assocs.,
19 I&N Dec. 558,560 (Comm'r 1988) ("The facts of a beneficiary's background only come at issue
after it is found that the position in which the petitioner intends to employ him falls within [ a specialty
occupation].").
As presently constituted, the record does not demonstrate that the proffered position qualifies as a
specialty occupation. See 8 C.F.R . Β§ 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A). We note the Petitioner has not submitted
sufficient evidence to establish that the proffered position qualifies as a specialty occupation because the
record lacks sufficient evidence of the actual work that the Beneficiary will perform for the end-client.
The Petitioner indicated that it has a contract with a vendor who in turn will provide services to an endΒ
client The record does not provide the contracts between the three parties. In addition, the Petitioner
must establish the specific duties to be performed for the end-client and the duration of the project.
Further, the letter from the vendor stated that the position with the end-client requires "5+ years of
extensive software development experience ." This requirement of experience undermines the
Matter of V- Inc.
information submitted on the Labor Condition Application that categorized the proffered position as
a Level I wage which is for an entry-level position.
Accordingly, the matter will be remanded to the Director to consider the specialty-occupation issue
and enter a new decision. The Director may request any additional evidence considered pertinent to
the new determination and any other issue. As such, we express no opinion regarding the ultimate
resolution of this case on remand.
ORDER: The decision of the Director is withdrawn. The matter is remanded for the entry of a
new decision consistent with the foregoing analysis.
Cite as Matter ofV-Inc., ID# 5631095 (AAO Sept. 19, 2019)
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