EB-1ASports and athleticsIndividualDecided 2005Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
DEC222005_01B2203
AwardsNot metExhibitionsNot metFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
Professional soccer player self-petitioner sought EB-1A classification. Claimed awards through team championships and tournament participation. AAO found championships too distant to show sustained acclaim and rejected improper application of visual arts criterion. Evidence insufficient to establish extraordinary ability at very 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.
No criterion in the table was found met in this decision.
What was missing
- Awards · New Young Talent award and team championships too distant from filing date; do not demonstrate sustained acclaim
- Exhibitions · Exhibitions criterion applies to visual arts, not professional soccer; comparable evidence provision not properly invoked
- Final merits · Evidence does not establish sustained national or international acclaim placing petitioner at very top of soccer field
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Awards | Not met | New Young Talent award and team championships too distant from filing date; do not demonstrate sustained acclaim |
 Exhibitions | Not met | Exhibitions criterion applies to visual arts, not professional soccer; comparable evidence provision not properly invoked |
 Final merits | Not met | Evidence does not establish sustained national or international acclaim placing petitioner at very top of soccer field |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.