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EB-1AFilm, music, performing artsIndividualDecided February 2026Dismissed

Outcome: Dismissed

FEB242026_01B2203

ExhibitionsMetJudgingMetAwardsNot metMembershipNot metPublished materialNot metScholarly articlesNot metFinal meritsNot met

Our summary

A dancer, choreographer, and coach met only two initial criteria and failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim. AAO withdrew the service center's award finding and affirmed the final merits determination, dismissing the appeal.

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 · AAO found petitioner met criterion for display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
  • Judging · AAO found petitioner met criterion for participation as judge of others' work.

What was missing

  • Awards · Diplomas, certificates, and acknowledgments do not qualify as prizes or awards for excellence.
  • Membership · Evidence did not demonstrate membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements.
  • Published material · Evidence did not satisfy plain language of published material criterion.
  • Scholarly articles · Evidence did not demonstrate authorship of scholarly articles in major publications.
  • Final merits · Evidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at top of field.

Criteria

CriterionReadingWhy
ExhibitionsMetAAO found petitioner met criterion for display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
JudgingMetAAO found petitioner met criterion for participation as judge of others' work.
AwardsNot metDiplomas, certificates, and acknowledgments do not qualify as prizes or awards for excellence.
MembershipNot metEvidence did not demonstrate membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements.
Published materialNot metEvidence did not satisfy plain language of published material criterion.
Scholarly articlesNot metEvidence did not demonstrate authorship of scholarly articles in major publications.
Final meritsNot metEvidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at top of field.

A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.

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