EB-1AArts, design, architectureIndividualDecided 2020Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
APR232020_18B2203
Leading or critical roleMetAwardsNot metExhibitionsNot metHigh salaryNot metPublished materialNot metCommercial successClaimed, not analyzedJudgingClaimed, not analyzedMembershipClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
Chef sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification claiming six criteria initially, then four on appeal. AAO affirmed director's finding that petitioner met only one criterion and failed to establish three required. On final merits, petitioner lacks sustained national or international acclaim and does not rise to very top of culinary 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
- Leading or critical role · Director found petitioner met criterion for executive chef role
What was missing
- Awards · No major internationally recognized award established
- Exhibitions · Participation in Ultimate Chef Showdown insufficient for criterion
- High salary · No comparative earning data provided to show salary high relative to field
- Published material · Articles from Italian publications not confirmed about petitioner
- Final merits · No sustained national or international acclaim; not among small percentage at top
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Leading or critical role | Met | Director found petitioner met criterion for executive chef role |
 Awards | Not met | No major internationally recognized award established |
 Exhibitions | Not met | Participation in Ultimate Chef Showdown insufficient for criterion |
 High salary | Not met | No comparative earning data provided to show salary high relative to field |
 Published material | Not met | Articles from Italian publications not confirmed about petitioner |
 Commercial success | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed; petitioner waived this criterion |
 Judging | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in decision |
 Membership | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed; petitioner waived this criterion |
 Final merits | Not met | No sustained national or international acclaim; not among small percentage at top |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.