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EB-1ASports and athleticsIndividualDecided June 2026Dismissed

Outcome: Dismissed

JUN092026_02B2203

JudgingMetLeading or critical roleMetAwardsNot metOriginal contributionsNot metPublished materialNot metFinal meritsNot reached / not discussed

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

CriterionReadingWhy
JudgingMetDecision notes petitioner met criterion for judging work of others
Leading or critical roleMetDecision notes petitioner met criterion for critical role with distinguished organization
AwardsNot metCoaching achievements insufficient; evidence of playing career cannot substitute for coaching accomplishments
Original contributionsNot metNo demonstration of original contributions of major significance in coaching field
Published materialNot metRecord lacks sufficient evidence of published material about coaching work
Final meritsNot reached / not discussedNot 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.

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