Outcome: Dismissed
JAN072026_04B2203
Our summary
A contemporary oil painter claimed seven criteria; service center found four met. AAO affirmed denial, concluding the petitioner's exhibitions lacked prestige evidence, judging was preliminary-level only, and achievements did not distinguish him from peers or demonstrate sustained acclaim or top-tier status.
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 · Service center found criterion satisfied; AAO did not disturb.
- Leading or critical role · Service center found criterion satisfied; AAO did not disturb.
- Published material · Service center found criterion satisfied; AAO did not disturb.
What was missing
- Awards · No major, internationally recognized award established.
- Membership · Service center concluded petitioner did not satisfy membership criterion.
- Scholarly articles · Service center concluded petitioner did not satisfy authorship criterion.
- Final merits · Achievements do not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or top percentage status.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Met | Service center found criterion satisfied; AAO did not disturb. | |
| Met | Service center found criterion satisfied; AAO did not disturb. | |
| Met | Service center found criterion satisfied; AAO did not disturb. | |
| Not met | No major, internationally recognized award established. | |
| Not met | Service center concluded petitioner did not satisfy membership criterion. | |
| Not met | Service center concluded petitioner did not satisfy authorship criterion. | |
| Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in AAO's determination. | |
| Not met | Achievements do not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or top percentage status. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.
