EB-1AMarketing, media, communicationsIndividualDecided February 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
FEB252026_03B2203
Leading or critical roleMetPublished materialMetAwardsNot met
Our summary
A short-form content creator with large social media presence claimed extraordinary ability but satisfied only two evidentiary criteria (published material and critical role). On appeal, the AAO rejected the awards criterion due to insufficient documentation of selection criteria and merit-based recognition. With fewer than three criteria met, the AAO declined to reach final merits and dismissed.
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
- Leading or critical role · SCOPS determined petitioner satisfied leading or critical role criterion.
- Published material · SCOPS determined petitioner satisfied published material criterion.
What was missing
- Awards · Petitioner's awards lacked sufficient documentation of criteria, selection processes, and merit-based recognition.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Leading or critical role | Met | SCOPS determined petitioner satisfied leading or critical role criterion. |
 Published material | Met | SCOPS determined petitioner satisfied published material criterion. |
 Awards | Not met | Petitioner's awards lacked sufficient documentation of criteria, selection processes, and merit-based recognition. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.