Outcome: Dismissed
JUN042026_01B2203
Our summary
A petitioner sought to establish extraordinary ability for their beneficiary, claiming satisfaction of regulatory criteria without a major award. Although the service center found three criteria met, the AAO withdrew one finding on published material and found the totality of evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field, dismissing the appeal.
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 found criterion satisfied; AAO did not disturb
- Leading or critical role · Service center found criterion satisfied; AAO did not disturb
- Scholarly articles · Service center found criterion satisfied; AAO did not disturb
What was missing
- Awards · No major internationally recognized award demonstrated
- Published material · Published material did not substantively address petitioner or their work
- Final merits · Record did not demonstrate sustained acclaim or top of field status
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Met | Service center found criterion satisfied; AAO did not disturb | |
| Met | Service center found criterion satisfied; AAO did not disturb | |
| Met | Service center found criterion satisfied; AAO did not disturb | |
| Not met | No major internationally recognized award demonstrated | |
| Not met | Published material did not substantively address petitioner or their work | |
| Not met | Record did not demonstrate sustained acclaim or top of field status |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.
