EB-1ASports and athleticsIndividualDecided July 2026Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
JUL142026_02B2203
AwardsNot metLeading or critical roleNot metPublished materialNot metFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
A Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor appealed EB-1A petition denial. The AAO found petitioner failed to satisfy three initial evidentiary criteria: awards from athletic competition do not count when claiming coaching role; Brazilian publications do not qualify as major media; and no evidence established critical role or distinguished organizational reputation. Appeal dismissed.
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 · Petitioner's competitive athletic prizes cannot be credited because he proposed role is as coach or trainer
- Leading or critical role · Record failed to establish leading or critical role or organizations' distinguished reputation or petitioner's significant contribution
- Published material · Publications from Brazilian news portals did not qualify as professional or major trade publication or other major media
- Final merits · Petitioner failed to satisfy three of ten initial evidentiary criteria, precluding final merits determination
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Awards | Not met | Petitioner's competitive athletic prizes cannot be credited because he proposed role is as coach or trainer |
 Leading or critical role | Not met | Record failed to establish leading or critical role or organizations' distinguished reputation or petitioner's significant contribution |
 Published material | Not met | Publications from Brazilian news portals did not qualify as professional or major trade publication or other major media |
 Final merits | Not met | Petitioner failed to satisfy three of ten initial evidentiary criteria, precluding final merits determination |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.