EB-1ASports and athleticsIndividualDecided December 2024Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
DEC092024_03B2203
JudgingMetMembershipNot metOriginal contributionsNot metPublished materialNot metLeading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
Gymnastics coach sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed five criteria; AAO found only judging criterion met. Appeal dismissed because petitioner failed to establish three required criteria and lacks sustained national or international acclaim at top of field.
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 · Sufficient evidence of participation as judge in gymnastics field
What was missing
- Membership · No evidence that membership required outstanding achievements as prerequisite
- Original contributions · No evidence of major significance contributions to gymnastics coaching
- Published material · Insufficient primary evidence of publication in qualifying sources
- Final merits · Failed to meet three criteria threshold; no sustained national or international acclaim
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Judging | Met | Sufficient evidence of participation as judge in gymnastics field |
 Membership | Not met | No evidence that membership required outstanding achievements as prerequisite |
 Original contributions | Not met | No evidence of major significance contributions to gymnastics coaching |
 Published material | Not met | Insufficient primary evidence of publication in qualifying sources |
 Leading or critical role | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed; other criteria failed so not reached |
 Final merits | Not met | Failed to meet three criteria threshold; no sustained national or international acclaim |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.