EB-1ASports and athleticsIndividualDecided December 2023Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
DEC212023_01B2203
JudgingMetScholarly articlesMetAwardsNot metMembershipNot metOriginal contributionsClaimed, not analyzedPublished materialClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
Martial arts instructor claimed extraordinary ability through national and international champion titles, publications, and judging. AAO found two criteria met but overall lacked sustained national or international acclaim. Most documented competition was over eight years old; provincial-level work insufficient for required recognition.
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 petitioner met criterion; petitioner did not contest this on appeal
- Scholarly articles · Service Center found petitioner met criterion; petitioner did not contest this on appeal
What was missing
- Awards · Lesser prizes lacked substantial level of recognition; no evidence of media or organizational reporting of competition results
- Membership · Membership authenticity and accuracy unestablished; constitutional document location not verified
- Final merits · Record does not show sustained national or international acclaim; most significant competition was 2013, eight years before petition filing
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Judging | Met | Service Center found petitioner met criterion; petitioner did not contest this on appeal |
 Scholarly articles | Met | Service Center found petitioner met criterion; petitioner did not contest this on appeal |
 Awards | Not met | Lesser prizes lacked substantial level of recognition; no evidence of media or organizational reporting of competition results |
 Membership | Not met | Membership authenticity and accuracy unestablished; constitutional document location not verified |
 Original contributions | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed; petitioner waived appeal on this issue |
 Published material | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed; petitioner waived appeal on this issue |
 Final merits | Not met | Record does not show sustained national or international acclaim; most significant competition was 2013, eight years before petition filing |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.