EB-1APhysics and astronomyIndividualDecided April 2020Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
APR232020_20B2203
JudgingMetScholarly articlesMetOriginal contributionsNot metAwardsClaimed, not analyzedCommercial successClaimed, not analyzedExhibitionsClaimed, not analyzedHigh salaryClaimed, not analyzedLeading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedMembershipClaimed, not analyzedPublished materialClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
A physicist claimed three criteria for extraordinary ability. The AAO affirmed the service center's finding that judging and scholarly articles were met. The third criterion, original contributions of major significance, failed: publication in high-impact journals and cumulative citations did not demonstrate field-wide impact or major significance to physics.
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
- Judging · Director found petitioner peer reviewed manuscripts for scientific journals; decision affirms
- Scholarly articles · Director found petitioner met criterion through co-authorship of peer-reviewed articles; decision affirms
What was missing
- Original contributions · Publication in high-impact journals and citation record insufficient; no evidence of major significance or field-wide impact
- Final merits · Evidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or place among small percentage at top of field
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Judging | Met | Director found petitioner peer reviewed manuscripts for scientific journals; decision affirms |
 Scholarly articles | Met | Director found petitioner met criterion through co-authorship of peer-reviewed articles; decision affirms |
 Original contributions | Not met | Publication in high-impact journals and citation record insufficient; no evidence of major significance or field-wide impact |
 Awards | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion not claimed or analyzed in decision |
 Commercial success | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion not claimed or analyzed in decision |
 Exhibitions | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion not claimed or analyzed in decision |
 High salary | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion not claimed or analyzed in decision |
 Leading or critical role | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion not claimed or analyzed in decision |
 Membership | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion not claimed or analyzed in decision |
 Published material | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion not claimed; published articles analyzed under original contributions only |
 Final merits | Not met | Evidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or place among small percentage at top of field |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.