EB-1AArts, design, architectureIndividualDecided February 2022Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
FEB112022_01B2203
ExhibitionsMetJudgingMetAwardsNot metLeading or critical roleNot metPublished materialNot metFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
Opera singer claimed five criteria for extraordinary ability: lesser awards, published material, judging, artistic display, and leading roles. AAO found only two criteria met (judging and display) by the Director, but rejected three others. Published material lacked depth; leading roles involved organizations without distinguished reputation. Petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required.
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
- Exhibitions · Director determined petitioner met criterion for artistic display; AAO did not disturb this finding.
- Judging · Director acknowledged participation as judge of others' work; AAO did not disturb this finding.
What was missing
- Awards · Petitioner claimed lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards; Director found none established; petitioner abandoned this on appeal.
- Leading or critical role · Petitioner held leading roles but organizations lacked distinguished reputation; touring and recording insufficient to establish distinction.
- Published material · Articles about petitioner's performances insufficient; lacked depth and appeared routine local publicity rather than major media coverage.
- Final merits · Record shows predominantly local reputation; no level of recognition indicative of sustained national or international acclaim required.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Exhibitions | Met | Director determined petitioner met criterion for artistic display; AAO did not disturb this finding. |
 Judging | Met | Director acknowledged participation as judge of others' work; AAO did not disturb this finding. |
 Awards | Not met | Petitioner claimed lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards; Director found none established; petitioner abandoned this on appeal. |
 Leading or critical role | Not met | Petitioner held leading roles but organizations lacked distinguished reputation; touring and recording insufficient to establish distinction. |
 Published material | Not met | Articles about petitioner's performances insufficient; lacked depth and appeared routine local publicity rather than major media coverage. |
 Final merits | Not met | Record shows predominantly local reputation; no level of recognition indicative of sustained national or international acclaim required. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.