O-1AArts, design, architectureEmployerDecided February 2020Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
FEB262020_01D8101
High salaryMetAwardsNot metLeading or critical roleNot metPublished materialNot metJudgingClaimed, not analyzedMembershipClaimed, not analyzedOriginal contributionsClaimed, not analyzedScholarly articlesClaimed, not analyzed
Our summary
An architectural designer employed by a real estate development company sought O-1A classification. Petitioner claimed eight criteria but only met two. AAO found published materials insufficient, lead role claim unsupported by evidence that beneficiary merely interned, and testimonials from colleagues lacked demonstrated recognition outside that circle. Appeal 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
- High salary · Director found criterion met; AAO did not withdraw this finding
What was missing
- Awards · No significant national or international award or nomination demonstrated
- Leading or critical role · Letters from colleagues did not establish lead or starring role; beneficiary was intern
- Published material · Published materials did not satisfy criterion for national or international recognition
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 High salary | Met | Director found criterion met; AAO did not withdraw this finding |
 Awards | Not met | No significant national or international award or nomination demonstrated |
 Leading or critical role | Not met | Letters from colleagues did not establish lead or starring role; beneficiary was intern |
 Published material | Not met | Published materials did not satisfy criterion for national or international recognition |
 Judging | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in decision |
 Membership | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in decision |
 Original contributions | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in decision |
 Scholarly articles | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in decision |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.