EB-1AArts, design, architectureIndividualDecided 2005Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
DEC192005_22B2203
Leading or critical roleMetAwardsNot metCommercial successNot metExhibitionsNot metHigh salaryNot metMembershipNot metPublished materialNot metJudgingClaimed, not analyzedOriginal contributionsClaimed, not analyzedScholarly articlesClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
A pianist self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in the arts. The AAO found only one criterion met despite counsel's submissions and dismissed the appeal, concluding the petitioner showed talent but not sustained national or international acclaim at the very top.
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
- Leading or critical role · Petitioner established distinguished reputation of IMMA
What was missing
- Awards · Music scholarship cannot establish criterion; significance of prize not established
- Commercial success · No evidence of sales for disc submitted
- Exhibitions · Expert letters cannot form cornerstone of claim; no evidence of individual acclaim beyond local institutions
- High salary · Petitioner never claimed this criterion despite relevance to field
- Membership · Membership in music academies and Camerata Lysy does not satisfy criterion; counsel abandoned claim
- Published material · Evidence over decade old; materials not primarily about petitioner; caliber and circulation not established
- Final merits · Met only one criterion; insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim at top level
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Leading or critical role | Met | Petitioner established distinguished reputation of IMMA |
 Awards | Not met | Music scholarship cannot establish criterion; significance of prize not established |
 Commercial success | Not met | No evidence of sales for disc submitted |
 Exhibitions | Not met | Expert letters cannot form cornerstone of claim; no evidence of individual acclaim beyond local institutions |
 High salary | Not met | Petitioner never claimed this criterion despite relevance to field |
 Membership | Not met | Membership in music academies and Camerata Lysy does not satisfy criterion; counsel abandoned claim |
 Published material | Not met | Evidence over decade old; materials not primarily about petitioner; caliber and circulation not established |
 Judging | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in decision |
 Original contributions | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in decision |
 Scholarly articles | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in decision |
 Final merits | Not met | Met only one criterion; insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim at top level |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.