Outcome: Dismissed
JAN312025_01B2203
Our summary
Professional ballroom dancer and choreographer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed eight criteria and met two: lesser awards and judging. AAO found published material criterion unmet because YouTube videos lack status as professional or major media, and association membership lacked documentary evidence of achievement requirements. With only two criteria met, petition failed three-criterion threshold.
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 · Petitioner received lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
- Judging · Petitioner participated as judge of others' work in the field
What was missing
- Membership · Association membership lacked documentary evidence of outstanding achievement requirements
- Published material · YouTube videos do not qualify as professional, major trade, or major media publication
- Final merits · Only two criteria met; sustained national or international acclaim and top small percentage not established
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Met | Petitioner received lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards | |
| Met | Petitioner participated as judge of others' work in the field | |
| Not met | Association membership lacked documentary evidence of outstanding achievement requirements | |
| Not met | YouTube videos do not qualify as professional, major trade, or major media publication | |
| Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in decision | |
| Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in decision | |
| Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in decision | |
| Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in decision | |
| Not met | Only two criteria met; sustained national or international acclaim and top small percentage not established |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.
