EB-2 NIW Case Study: Spanish IT Professional Using AI to Reduce Food Waste Spain Information Systems SpecialistColombo & Hurd secured approval of an EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition for a Spanish IT professional developing artificial intelligence tools to help food service companies reduce food waste and improve demand forecasting. The petition addressed how improved forecasting systems can help restaurants reduce waste, control costs, and improve supply chain efficiency across the United States. Across the United States, food service companies are under increasing pressure to reduce waste while improving efficiency. Restaurants and multi-brand operators must accurately predict demand, manage complex supply chains, and control costs while meeting sustainability goals. Inaccurate forecasting often leads to overproduction, increased waste, and higher operating costs. To address these challenges, companies are turning to advanced systems that better align purchasing and production with actual consumer demand. The initial petition was prepared by Senior Attorney Marina Renom, and the successful Request for Evidence (RFE) response was led by Attorney Diego Menendez. The carefully structured NIW strategy connected technological innovation with national economic priorities. Evaluate My Profile Client ProfileTechnology consultant specializing in data analytics and operational forecastingEB-2 NIW VisaOur client is an IT professional from Spain with more than 17 years of experience in business intelligence, technology consulting, and project management. Throughout his career, he has helped organizations use data and analytics to improve operations and decision-making, with a focus on demand forecasting and resource optimization. At a global consulting firm, he advanced through several senior roles working with large enterprise clients on business intelligence and analytics solutions. In these roles, he led technical teams and supported the deployment of forecasting and performance-monitoring systems. His work also includes developing estimation and analytics tools for companies in the food service industry. This experience further strengthened his technical expertise and industry insight, supporting the development of forecasting technologies aimed at reducing food waste. The Challenge USCIS questioned the national impact of AI forecasting tools to reduce food waste USCIS acknowledged that the petitioner qualified for EB-2 classification based on his advanced degree and professional experience. The officer also accepted that the proposed endeavor had substantial merit. However, USCIS issued a Request for Evidence (RFE) requesting additional clarification about whether the work met the National Interest Waiver requirements. The officer focused on whether the proposed work demonstrated national importance under the Matter of Dhanasar framework. While the technology had clear value for the food service industry, USCIS requested additional evidence showing how it addressed a nationally significant issue and could create impact beyond individual businesses. USCIS also requested more documentation clarifying the petitioner’s role in prior projects and his ability to carry out the proposed work in the United States. Strategic Approach Turning a food waste problem into a national technology solution In response to the RFE, the legal team focused on demonstrating both the national importance of the work and the petitioner’s ability to carry it out. The response explained how AI-based demand forecasting could help reduce food loss and waste across the U.S. food system. The response also connected the proposed work to federal initiatives addressing food waste and sustainability and included an expanded business plan, expert evaluations, and documentation of the petitioner’s experience developing forecasting systems in the food service industry. Together, this evidence demonstrated both the national importance of reducing food waste and the petitioner’s ability to develop practical technology solutions in the United States. The Result USCIS Approval after RFE Response After reviewing the RFE response and supporting documentation, USCIS approved the petitioner’s Form I-140 under the EB-2 National Interest Waiver category. USCIS recognized that his work developing AI-based forecasting tools to reduce food waste has national importance and that he has the experience to carry out this work in the United States. Why This Case Succeeded This case succeeded because the RFE response clearly demonstrated both the national importance of reducing food waste and the petitioner’s ability to develop and implement forecasting technology to address this challenge. By connecting the proposed work to national sustainability priorities and documenting the client’s experience, the legal team showed that the endeavor addressed a recognized national challenge while presenting a credible path for implementation in the United States. With the approval of his EB-2 National Interest Waiver petition, the petitioner plans to develop AI-based forecasting tools that help food service companies better predict demand and reduce food waste. See If you QualifyGet your free EB-2 NIW visa profile evaluation today. EVALUATE MY PROFILE Case Overview Category Details Visa Classification EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) Nationality Spain Professional Field Information Technology / Business Intelligence Education Advanced Degree in Information Technology Request for Evidence (RFE) Yes Final Outcome Form I-140 Approved Lead Attorneys Initial Filing Senior Attorney Marina Renom, RFE Attorney Diego Menendez Related Resources If you are considering an EB-2 NIW for AI, technology, or cybersecurity work, the following resources provide additional information: EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) for Engineers: The Complete 2026 Guide O-1 Visa for AI Professionals: A Strategic Path to the United States This case was handled by attorney Diego Menendez and senior attorney Marina Renom of Colombo & Hurd, a U.S. immigration law firm specializing in employment-based green cards including EB-2 NIW and EB-1A petitions. The firm has secured over 10,000 successful visa and green card approvals for clients from more than 100 countries, including more than 2,000 approvals in EB-2 NIW and EB-1A categories since 2023.