EB-1AArts, design, architectureIndividualDecided March 2020Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
MAR062020_01B2203
Leading or critical roleMetAwardsNot metExhibitionsNot metPublished materialNot metHigh salaryClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
Gourmet baker and cafe co-owner met leading role criterion only. AAO rejected awards as employer-level recognition, published material as non-major media, and exhibitions as commercial not artistic. Final merits unmet due to lack of sustained national or international 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
- Leading or critical role · Petitioner served in leading role for cafe with distinguished reputation.
What was missing
- Awards · Employer, not petitioner, received BuzzFeed recognition; recognition not demonstrated as nationally or internationally recognized prize or award.
- Exhibitions · Food magazine program not demonstrated to be artistic in nature; commercial media does not satisfy artistic exhibition requirement.
- Published material · News articles and promotional material do not qualify as major media; petitioner did not establish national or international significance of internet rankings.
- Final merits · Record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim; not among upper echelon in gourmet baking field despite local recognition and praise.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Leading or critical role | Met | Petitioner served in leading role for cafe with distinguished reputation. |
 Awards | Not met | Employer, not petitioner, received BuzzFeed recognition; recognition not demonstrated as nationally or internationally recognized prize or award. |
 Exhibitions | Not met | Food magazine program not demonstrated to be artistic in nature; commercial media does not satisfy artistic exhibition requirement. |
 Published material | Not met | News articles and promotional material do not qualify as major media; petitioner did not establish national or international significance of internet rankings. |
 High salary | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed on appeal but not reached; only one criterion satisfied, need three minimum. |
 Final merits | Not met | Record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim; not among upper echelon in gourmet baking field despite local recognition and praise. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.