EB-1AArts, design, architectureIndividualDecided 2005Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
APR132005_06B2203
ExhibitionsMetAwardsNot metCommercial successNot metLeading or critical roleNot metMembershipNot metOriginal contributionsNot metPublished materialNot metScholarly articlesNot metFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
A Russian painter sought extraordinary ability classification through EB-1A. Claimed exhibitions, organizational memberships, and group work. AAO found only one criterion met but insufficient evidence overall of sustained national or international acclaim demonstrating placement at top of field.
Official PDF
Official PDF ↗Published by USCIS. The summary is ours, in our own words; the decision text is on uscis.gov.
What the AAO accepted
- Exhibitions · Petitioner exhibited work in Russia and abroad; role in Crossroad group recognized.
What was missing
- Awards · Academic diplomas and organizational memberships do not constitute major prizes or awards.
- Commercial success · No primary evidence of actual sale of petitioner's artwork produced despite numerous exhibitions.
- Leading or critical role · Founding role in Crossroad art group insufficient; group not shown to have distinguished reputation.
- Membership · Membership in Artists Union and International Federation of Artists lacks evidence of outstanding achievement requirements.
- Original contributions · Group work in Crossroad art group insufficient to establish petitioner's own major artistic contributions.
- Published material · Newspaper articles submitted insufficient to establish national or international acclaim.
- Scholarly articles · No evidence of scholarly articles about the petitioner or her work.
- Final merits · Accomplished painter but evidence insufficient to show extraordinary ability at top of field.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Exhibitions | Met | Petitioner exhibited work in Russia and abroad; role in Crossroad group recognized. |
 Awards | Not met | Academic diplomas and organizational memberships do not constitute major prizes or awards. |
 Commercial success | Not met | No primary evidence of actual sale of petitioner's artwork produced despite numerous exhibitions. |
 Leading or critical role | Not met | Founding role in Crossroad art group insufficient; group not shown to have distinguished reputation. |
 Membership | Not met | Membership in Artists Union and International Federation of Artists lacks evidence of outstanding achievement requirements. |
 Original contributions | Not met | Group work in Crossroad art group insufficient to establish petitioner's own major artistic contributions. |
 Published material | Not met | Newspaper articles submitted insufficient to establish national or international acclaim. |
 Scholarly articles | Not met | No evidence of scholarly articles about the petitioner or her work. |
 Final merits | Not met | Accomplished painter but evidence insufficient to show extraordinary ability at top of field. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.