All objections
Prong 2 · Well positioned
Past record does not show influence or success
Publications, projects or roles were documented, but not their influence on the field or record of success.
What this objection usually means
Having published or worked in the field is expected. The officer looks for evidence that the work mattered to others: adoption, influence, notable results.
What has tended to answer it
Show how others used the work: citations in context, adoption, licensing, independent commentary, and outcomes the work produced.
General patterns drawn from past decisions, not legal advice for your case. Ask a licensed immigration attorney how this applies to you.
The rule
“Evidence that the person’s work has influenced the field of endeavor;”
Quoted from the USCIS Policy Manual current as of Sept 23, 2026. Check the online manual before filing.
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See what your own profile records against this objection
Assess compares your case profile with the kinds of evidence that have answered “Past record does not show influence or success” and the other catalogued objections in past decisions. It shows evidence coverage, not a prediction.
See it on a sample caseHow often it is raised, by year
744 of 3,701 decisions in scope (years with 5+ decisions)
By field
Decisions raising it
- Business & finance18713% of field
- Engineering14428% of field
- Computing, AI & data11327% of field
- Clinical & health8922% of field
- Education5528% of field
- Biomedical & life sciences5053% of field
- Aviation & transport2516% of field
- Physical sciences & math2242% of field
Where it sank the appeal
Recent dismissed appeals raising this objection
- Dismissed2026-08-21Clinical & health
In determining whether a petitioner is well-positioned to advance their proposed endeavor, we consider factors including but not limited to: the individual's education, skills, knowledge, and record of success in related or similar efforts; a model or plan for future activities; any progress towards achieving the proposed endeavor; and the interest of potential customers, users, investors, or other relevant entities or individuals.
Read decision AUG212026_01B5203 - Dismissed2026-08-18Engineering
[T]he record does not reflect that the [P]etitioner's work in the field served as an impetus for progress in the field ofgeoenvironmental or that it has generated substantial positive discourse in evaluating the development of predictive models for PFAS.
Read decision AUG182026_01B5203 - Dismissed2026-08-13Education
In the denial notice, USCIS acknowledged the Petitioner's submission ofletters and evidence relating to his experience, but concluded that the Petitioner had not shown "a record of success or otherwise demonstrate[d] he is well-positioned to advance his proposed endeavor."
Read decision AUG132026_02B5203 - Dismissed2026-08-11Clinical & health
To determine whether a petitioner is well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor, we consider factors including, but not limited to: their education, skills, knowledge and record of success in related or similar efforts; a model or plan for future activities; any progress towards achieving the proposed endeavor; and the interest of potential customers, users, investors, or other relevant entities or individuals.
Read decision AUG112026_02B5203 - Dismissed2026-07-31Education
To determine whether they are well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor, we consider factors including, but not limited to: their education, skills, knowledge and record of success in related or similar efforts; a model or plan for future activities; any progress towards achieving the proposed endeavor; and the interest of potential customers, users, investors, or other relevant entities or individuals.
Read decision JUL312026_01B5203 - Dismissed2026-07-30Engineering
To determine whether they are well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor, we consider factors including, but not limited to: their education, skills, knowledge and record of success in related or similar efforts; a model or plan for future activities; any progress towards achieving the proposed endeavor; and the interest of potential customers, users, investors, or other relevant entities or individuals.
Read decision JUL302026_01B5203
Where the petitioner still won or got a remand
Sustained or remanded decisions where this issue was discussed: read them to see what answered it
- Remanded2026-08-11Law & policy
Then, in discussing whether the Petitioner is well-positioned to advance her proposed endeavor, USCIS determined, 'The beneficiary's experience as a[n] Electronic Engineer is limited and does not show a record of success in similar or related endeavors."
Read decision AUG112026_03B5203 - Remanded2026-07-28Physical sciences & math
Factors in making that determination include, but are not limited to, the petitioner's education, skills, knowledge, and record of success in related or similar work; their model or plan for future activities to advance the endeavor; their progress towards achieving their proposed endeavor; and the interest of potential customers, users, or other relevant entities or individuals.
Read decision JUL282026_06B5203 - Remanded2026-07-16Engineering
While the Petitioner asserts that his citation record, nevertheless, places one of his articles in the top 10 percent of the most cited papers for engineering in the year 2024, the record lacks sufficient context and evidence to demonstrate his papers have, for instance, widely influenced the field or otherwise established a clear record of success.
Read decision JUL162026_01B5203 - Remanded2026-06-04Engineering
To determine whether they are well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor, we consider factors including, but not limited to: their education, skills, knowledge and record of success in related or similar efforts; a model or plan for future activities; any progress towards achieving the proposed endeavor; and the interest of potential customers, users, investors, or other relevant entities or individuals.
Read decision JUN042026_01B5203 - Remanded2026-05-27Computing, AI & data
To determine whether they are well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor, we consider factors including, but not limited to: their education, skills, knowledge and record of success in related or similar efforts; a model or plan for future activities; any progress towards achieving the proposed endeavor; and the interest of potential customers, users, investors, or other relevant entities or individuals.
Read decision MAY272026_01B5203 - Remanded2026-05-15Computing, AI & data
Additionally, we note that, in evaluating the second prong and whether the Petitioner is well positioned to advance his proposed endeavor, we consider factors including, but not limited to: their education, skills, knowledge and record of success in related or similar efforts; a model or plan for future A Petitioner is required to submit legible copies.
Read decision MAY152026_01B5203