Outcome: Dismissed
DEC292025_02B2203
Our summary
Data scientist with master's degree in computer science; employed in software engineering roles in H-1B status. Met three criteria but failed final merits determination. AAO upheld denial, finding evidence did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or placement among field's elite despite meeting evidentiary threshold.
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
- High salary · SCOPS determined criterion satisfied; high remuneration for services.
- Judging · SCOPS determined criterion satisfied; peer reviewer for journals and conferences.
- Scholarly articles · SCOPS determined criterion satisfied; authorship of scholarly articles established.
What was missing
- Leading or critical role · SCOPS concluded requirements not met; leading or critical role for distinguished organizations not established.
- Original contributions · SCOPS concluded requirements not met; original contributions of major significance not established.
- Final merits · Despite meeting three initial criteria, totality of evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim and placement in small percentage at top of field.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Met | SCOPS determined criterion satisfied; high remuneration for services. | |
| Met | SCOPS determined criterion satisfied; peer reviewer for journals and conferences. | |
| Met | SCOPS determined criterion satisfied; authorship of scholarly articles established. | |
| Not met | SCOPS concluded requirements not met; leading or critical role for distinguished organizations not established. | |
| Not met | SCOPS concluded requirements not met; original contributions of major significance not established. | |
| Not met | Despite meeting three initial criteria, totality of evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim and placement in small percentage at top of field. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.
