Outcome: Dismissed
AUG242026_05B2203
Our summary
An investment banker claimed extraordinary ability in his field. He met four regulatory criteria but failed on high salary and overall final merits. The AAO upheld dismissal, finding he is on a trajectory to reach the top but is currently a mid-career associate without demonstrated seniority, major deal leadership, or industry-wide reputation required for extraordinary ability.
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 · Service center found criterion satisfied; decision does not disturb this finding.
- Leading or critical role · Service center found criterion satisfied; decision does not disturb this finding.
- Membership · Service center found criterion satisfied; decision does not disturb this finding.
- Scholarly articles · Service center found criterion satisfied; decision does not disturb this finding.
What was missing
- High salary · Salary evidence alone insufficient to establish extraordinary ability; petitioner in mid-career associate role, not elite tier.
- Final merits · Record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or membership in small percentage at very top of field.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Met | Service center found criterion satisfied; decision does not disturb this finding. | |
| Met | Service center found criterion satisfied; decision does not disturb this finding. | |
| Met | Service center found criterion satisfied; decision does not disturb this finding. | |
| Met | Service center found criterion satisfied; decision does not disturb this finding. | |
| Not met | Salary evidence alone insufficient to establish extraordinary ability; petitioner in mid-career associate role, not elite tier. | |
| Not met | Record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or membership in small percentage at very top of field. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.
