sustained H-1B

sustained H-1B Case: Unknown

๐Ÿ“… Date unknown ๐Ÿ‘ค Company ๐Ÿ“‚ Unknown

Decision Summary

The appeal was sustained because the AAO found, upon de novo review, that the petitioner had established the proffered position qualifies as a specialty occupation. The AAO concluded 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 bachelor's or higher degree in a specific specialty.

Criteria Discussed

Specialty Occupation Specialized And Complex Duties Beneficiary'S Qualifications

Sign up free to download the original PDF

View Full Decision Text
U.S. Citizenship 
and Immigration 
Services 
In Re: 17322705 
Appeal of California Service Center Decision 
Form 1-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (H-1B) 
Non-Precedent Decision of the 
Administrative Appeals Office 
Date: JUN. 08, 2021 
The Petitioner seeks to temporarily employ the Beneficiary under the H-1B nonimmigrant 
classification for specialty occupations.1 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 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 did not 
establish that the proffered position qualifies as a specialty occupation. On appeal, the Petitioner 
asserts that the Director erred and the Petitioner has established eligibility for this benefit. 
In these proceedings, it is the Petitioner's burden to establish eligibility for the requested benefit by a 
preponderance of the evidence.2 Upon de nova review,3 we will sustain the appeal. 
In this matter, the record demonstrates that the proffered position is a specialty occupation under 
8 C.F.R. ยง 214.2(h)(4)(ii) and (iii)(A). Specifically, we conclude 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 bachelor's or higher degree in a specific specialty, or its equivalent, as required by 
8 C.F.R. ยง 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A)(4). The record includes a description of the job duties and an 
explanation of the Beneficiary's proposed work. The proposed duties, when reviewed within the 
context of the Petitioner's business operations, are sufficient to demonstrate that the duties of the 
position require a "body of highly specialized knowledge" attained through a precise and specific 
course of study that relates directly and closely to the proffered position. 
The totality of the record establishes that, more likely than not, the Petitioner's particular position 
requires 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. The Petitioner has 
established that the proffered position qualifies for classification as a specialty occupation as defined by 
section 214(i)(l) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. ยง 1184(i)(l), 8 C.F.R. ยง 214.2(h)(4)(ii), and (iii)(A)(4). Additionally, 
1 See Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act) section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b), 8 U.S.C. ยง 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b). 
2 See Section 291 of the Act; see also Matter of Chawathe, 25 l&N Dec. 369, 375 (AAO 2010). 
3 See Matter of Christo 's Inc., 26 l&N Dec. 537, 537 n.2 (AAO 2015). 
the record establishes that the Beneficiary is qualified to perform the duties of the proffered position 
by holding a qualifying U.S. master's degree.4 
ORDER: The appeal is sustained. 
4 Section 214(i)(2) of the Act; 8 C.F.R. ยง 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(C)(1). 
2 
Using this case in a petition? Let MeritDraft draft the argument →

Use this winning precedent in your petition

MeritDraft analyzes sustained AAO decisions like this one to generate petition arguments that mirror what actually gets approved.

Build Your Winning Petition →

No credit card required. Generate your first petition draft in minutes.