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EB-1AFinance and economicsIndividualDecided 2026Dismissed

Outcome: Dismissed

JAN212026_02B2203

AwardsNot metJudgingNot metLeading or critical roleNot metMembershipNot metHigh salaryClaimed, not analyzedOriginal contributionsClaimed, not analyzedPublished materialClaimed, not analyzedScholarly articlesClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met

Our summary

A specialist in prevention and investigation of financial crimes and money laundering sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding petitioner failed to establish any of the claimed eight initial criteria and could not meet the three-criterion threshold; final merits determination also failed.

Official PDF

Official PDF ↗

Published by USCIS. The summary is ours, in our own words; the decision text is on uscis.gov.

No criterion in the table was found met in this decision.

What was missing

  • Awards · Award honored achievements in transportation sector, not prevention and investigation of financial crimes; insufficient evidence of national or international recognition.
  • Judging · AAO withdrew SCOPS determination finding this criterion met; insufficient evidence on appeal.
  • Leading or critical role · AAO withdrew SCOPS determination finding this criterion met; record does not support distinguished role.
  • Membership · National Association of Federal Criminal Experts membership based on government vetting, not outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts as required.
  • Final merits · Record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or career of acclaimed work; petitioner not among small percentage at top of field.

Criteria

CriterionReadingWhy
AwardsNot metAward honored achievements in transportation sector, not prevention and investigation of financial crimes; insufficient evidence of national or international recognition.
JudgingNot metAAO withdrew SCOPS determination finding this criterion met; insufficient evidence on appeal.
Leading or critical roleNot metAAO withdrew SCOPS determination finding this criterion met; record does not support distinguished role.
MembershipNot metNational Association of Federal Criminal Experts membership based on government vetting, not outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts as required.
High salaryClaimed, not analyzedClaimed but not meaningfully analyzed.
Original contributionsClaimed, not analyzedClaimed but not analyzed in depth.
Published materialClaimed, not analyzedClaimed but not analyzed; decision focused on other criteria.
Scholarly articlesClaimed, not analyzedClaimed but not analyzed in depth.
Final meritsNot metRecord does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or career of acclaimed work; petitioner not among small percentage 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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