EB-1ALife sciences and medicineEmployerDecided January 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
JAN152026_03B2203
JudgingMetPublished materialMetAwardsNot metOriginal contributionsNot metMembershipClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
Physician and research fellow in immunology sought EB-1A classification. Met two criteria: published material and judging. Awards not recognized for field excellence; original contributions not demonstrated as major significance. Failed three-criterion threshold. 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
- Judging · Service center determined petitioner met this criterion; decision did not disturb finding.
- Published material · Service center determined petitioner met this criterion; decision did not disturb finding.
What was missing
- Awards · Three claimed awards not nationally or internationally recognized for excellence; grant purpose was cultural exchange, not field excellence.
- Original contributions · Petitioner did not establish contributions were of major significance; attendance at conferences accepting work did not prove significance or original major contribution.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Judging | Met | Service center determined petitioner met this criterion; decision did not disturb finding. |
 Published material | Met | Service center determined petitioner met this criterion; decision did not disturb finding. |
 Awards | Not met | Three claimed awards not nationally or internationally recognized for excellence; grant purpose was cultural exchange, not field excellence. |
 Original contributions | Not met | Petitioner did not establish contributions were of major significance; attendance at conferences accepting work did not prove significance or original major contribution. |
 Membership | Claimed, not analyzed | Claim abandoned; petitioner failed to respond to RFE request despite initial claim. |
 Final merits | Not reached / not discussed | Threshold not met; final merits determination reserved. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.