EB-1AFilm, music, performing artsIndividualDecided January 2023Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
JAN252023_01B2203
AwardsMetExhibitionsMetCommercial successNot metOriginal contributionsNot metHigh salaryClaimed, not analyzedJudgingClaimed, not analyzedLeading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedPublished materialClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
Armenian pop and folk musician sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO affirmed dismissal, finding petitioner met only two of ten criteria (awards and artistic display) but needed three, and did not demonstrate sustained national acclaim or place at top of field.
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
- Awards · Director found lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards criterion satisfied
- Exhibitions · Director found artistic display criterion satisfied
What was missing
- Commercial success · Recording and releasing compilations insufficient alone; volume of sales and box office receipts not demonstrated
- Original contributions · Letters lacked specificity about influence on field; no evidence of major significance in Armenian music
- Final merits · Only two criteria met; less than three required; record does not show sustained national or international acclaim
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Awards | Met | Director found lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards criterion satisfied |
 Exhibitions | Met | Director found artistic display criterion satisfied |
 Commercial success | Not met | Recording and releasing compilations insufficient alone; volume of sales and box office receipts not demonstrated |
 Original contributions | Not met | Letters lacked specificity about influence on field; no evidence of major significance in Armenian music |
 High salary | Claimed, not analyzed | Not mentioned in decision as claimed or analyzed |
 Judging | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but abandoned on appeal; petitioner did not pursue this criterion |
 Leading or critical role | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but abandoned on appeal; petitioner did not pursue this criterion |
 Published material | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but abandoned on appeal; petitioner did not pursue this criterion |
 Final merits | Not met | Only two criteria met; less than three required; record does not show sustained national or international acclaim |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.