EB-1AFilm, music, performing artsIndividualDecided April 2020Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
APR292020_01B2203
AwardsNot metPublished materialNot metScholarly articlesNot metCommercial successClaimed, not analyzedExhibitionsClaimed, not analyzedHigh salaryClaimed, not analyzedJudgingClaimed, not analyzedLeading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedMembershipClaimed, not analyzedOriginal contributionsClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
Mastering engineer in music industry seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed five criteria including awards and scholarly articles. AAO affirmed director's denial, finding petitioner satisfied no evidentiary criteria; Grammy nomination is not prize, published material not from major publications, and contributions to books do not constitute scholarly authorship; lacks evidence of national or international acclaim.
Official PDF
Official PDF ↗Published by USCIS. The summary is ours, in our own words; the decision text is on uscis.gov.
No criterion in the table was found met in this decision.
What was missing
- Awards · Grammy nomination certificate does not constitute nationally or internationally recognized prize or award; participation does not equal receipt
- Published material · Articles on prosoundnetwork and musicconnection not established as professional or major trade publications; lacks objective evidence of website standing as major medium
- Scholarly articles · Contributions to books written by others and quotes do not constitute authorship of scholarly articles; materials intended for students, not learned persons
- Final merits · Record lacks evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or that petitioner is among upper echelon of field
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Awards | Not met | Grammy nomination certificate does not constitute nationally or internationally recognized prize or award; participation does not equal receipt |
 Published material | Not met | Articles on prosoundnetwork and musicconnection not established as professional or major trade publications; lacks objective evidence of website standing as major medium |
 Scholarly articles | Not met | Contributions to books written by others and quotes do not constitute authorship of scholarly articles; materials intended for students, not learned persons |
 Commercial success | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed criterion not analyzed by decision |
 Exhibitions | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed criterion not analyzed by decision |
 High salary | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed criterion not analyzed by decision |
 Judging | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed criterion not analyzed by decision |
 Leading or critical role | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed criterion not analyzed by decision |
 Membership | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed criterion not analyzed by decision |
 Original contributions | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed criterion not analyzed by decision |
 Final merits | Not met | Record lacks evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or that petitioner is among upper echelon of field |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.