EB-1ASports and athleticsIndividualDecided April 2025Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
APR242025_01B2203
JudgingMetLeading or critical roleMetAwardsNot metCommercial successNot metHigh salaryClaimed, not analyzedMembershipClaimed, not analyzedPublished materialClaimed, not analyzed
Our summary
A karate coach claimed extraordinary ability and sought to open karate schools in the United States. The AAO confirmed he met two criteria—judging and leading role—but dismissed because he failed to meet the minimum three-criterion threshold required for final merits consideration.
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 · Petitioner submitted evidence of participation as judge of others' work in allied field.
- Leading or critical role · Petitioner demonstrated performance in leading role for organization with distinguished reputation.
What was missing
- Awards · Petitioner did not demonstrate awards issued for excellence as coach or national or international recognition.
- Commercial success · Petitioner did not demonstrate favorable comparison to commercial successes in performing arts with documentation.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Judging | Met | Petitioner submitted evidence of participation as judge of others' work in allied field. |
 Leading or critical role | Met | Petitioner demonstrated performance in leading role for organization with distinguished reputation. |
 Awards | Not met | Petitioner did not demonstrate awards issued for excellence as coach or national or international recognition. |
 Commercial success | Not met | Petitioner did not demonstrate favorable comparison to commercial successes in performing arts with documentation. |
 High salary | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed; decision did not reach discussion of this criterion. |
 Membership | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed; insufficient detail in decision regarding this criterion analysis. |
 Published material | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in detail; decision did not reach discussion of this criterion. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.