Outcome: Dismissed
DEC092015_01B2203
Our summary
Electrical engineer sought extraordinary ability classification. Met three criteria: judging, published material, and leading role. AAO sustained those findings but rejected the final merits determination, holding evidence showed competence but not sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier status required for EB-1A.
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 · Evaluated dissertations and rated contract bids, satisfying plain language requirement
- Leading or critical role · Senior engineer at company with distinguished reputation
- Published material · Director found criterion satisfied; AAO agreed
What was missing
- Awards · Certificates not nationally or internationally recognized awards for excellence
- Membership · Memberships do not demonstrate top of field status
- Scholarly articles · Citations from co-inventor lack wider impact; insufficient recognition beyond employer
- Final merits · Evidence shows competent engineer but not risen to very top of field or achieved national acclaim
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Met | Evaluated dissertations and rated contract bids, satisfying plain language requirement | |
| Met | Senior engineer at company with distinguished reputation | |
| Met | Director found criterion satisfied; AAO agreed | |
| Not met | Certificates not nationally or internationally recognized awards for excellence | |
| Not met | Memberships do not demonstrate top of field status | |
| Not met | Citations from co-inventor lack wider impact; insufficient recognition beyond employer | |
| Not met | Evidence shows competent engineer but not risen to very top of field or achieved national acclaim |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.
