Outcome: Dismissed
JUN092026_02B2203
Our summary
Soccer coach and former player sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal, holding petitioner met only two of ten required initial criteria, that sustained acclaim must be in declared field of expertise (coaching, not playing), and career lacks required level of acclaim.
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 · Decision notes petitioner met criterion for judging work of others
- Leading or critical role · Decision notes petitioner met criterion for critical role with distinguished organization
What was missing
- Awards · Coaching achievements insufficient; evidence of playing career cannot substitute for coaching accomplishments
- Original contributions · No demonstration of original contributions of major significance in coaching field
- Published material · Record lacks sufficient evidence of published material about coaching work
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Met | Decision notes petitioner met criterion for judging work of others | |
| Met | Decision notes petitioner met criterion for critical role with distinguished organization | |
| Not met | Coaching achievements insufficient; evidence of playing career cannot substitute for coaching accomplishments | |
| Not met | No demonstration of original contributions of major significance in coaching field | |
| Not met | Record lacks sufficient evidence of published material about coaching work | |
| Not reached / not discussed | Not reached because petitioner met only two of three required initial criteria |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.
