EB-1AArts, design, architectureEmployerDecided March 2021Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
MAR032021_03B2203
AwardsMetExhibitionsMetJudgingMetPublished materialMetLeading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
An art director and photographer sought EB-1A classification, claiming six criteria. The AAO found four criteria met (awards, published material, judging, exhibitions), exceeding the three-criterion threshold, but dismissed because the totality of evidence did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier status.
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 · AAO agreed petitioner satisfied lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes criterion
- Exhibitions · AAO agreed petitioner met display at artistic exhibitions or showcases criterion
- Judging · AAO concluded petitioner satisfied participation as judge criterion
- Published material · AAO found petitioner met published material in professional or major media requirement
What was missing
- Final merits · Evidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or career of acclaimed work
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Awards | Met | AAO agreed petitioner satisfied lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes criterion |
 Exhibitions | Met | AAO agreed petitioner met display at artistic exhibitions or showcases criterion |
 Judging | Met | AAO concluded petitioner satisfied participation as judge criterion |
 Published material | Met | AAO found petitioner met published material in professional or major media requirement |
 Leading or critical role | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed in final merits discussion |
 Final merits | Not met | Evidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or career of acclaimed work |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.