EB-1ALife sciences and medicineIndividualDecided February 2025Sustained
Outcome: Sustained
FEB182025_02B2203
JudgingMetLeading or critical roleMetOriginal contributionsMetPublished materialMetScholarly articlesMetFinal meritsMet
Our summary
A geoscientist and volcanology researcher pursuing doctoral degrees seeks extraordinary ability classification. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding the petitioner met five initial criteria and demonstrating through aggregate evidence sustained national or international acclaim, field recognition, and placement among the very top of the volcanology field.
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 · Director determined criterion met; petitioner participated as judge of others' work in volcanology field.
- Leading or critical role · AAO reversed Director; evidence of leading and critical roles for distinguished organizations in volcanology research established.
- Original contributions · Director determined criterion met; original contributions of major significance to volcanology field.
- Published material · Director determined criterion met; publications about petitioner support extraordinary ability finding.
- Scholarly articles · Director determined criterion met; authorship of scholarly articles in field.
- Final merits · Totality of evidence demonstrates sustained national and international acclaim; recognized as among small percentage at very top of volcanology field.
What was missing
Every criterion in the table was found met.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Judging | Met | Director determined criterion met; petitioner participated as judge of others' work in volcanology field. |
 Leading or critical role | Met | AAO reversed Director; evidence of leading and critical roles for distinguished organizations in volcanology research established. |
 Original contributions | Met | Director determined criterion met; original contributions of major significance to volcanology field. |
 Published material | Met | Director determined criterion met; publications about petitioner support extraordinary ability finding. |
 Scholarly articles | Met | Director determined criterion met; authorship of scholarly articles in field. |
 Final merits | Met | Totality of evidence demonstrates sustained national and international acclaim; recognized as among small percentage at very top of volcanology field. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.