EB-1ASports and athleticsIndividualDecided March 2024Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
MAR192024_01B2203
AwardsMetLeading or critical roleMetMembershipMetPublished materialMetHigh salaryClaimed, not analyzedJudgingClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
Volleyball coach and former athlete seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner met four initial criteria but failed final merits analysis. AAO held petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim as coach and did not demonstrate top-tier achievement in coaching career.
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 · Director found petitioner received lesser nationally and internationally recognized prizes for athletic performance
- Leading or critical role · Director found evidence petitioner performed in leading or critical role
- Membership · Director found membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement of members
- Published material · Director found published material about petitioner relating to work as athlete
What was missing
- Final merits · As volleyball coach, petitioner did not establish sustained national or international acclaim at top of field
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Awards | Met | Director found petitioner received lesser nationally and internationally recognized prizes for athletic performance |
 Leading or critical role | Met | Director found evidence petitioner performed in leading or critical role |
 Membership | Met | Director found membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement of members |
 Published material | Met | Director found published material about petitioner relating to work as athlete |
 High salary | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not established; director found petitioner failed to meet this criterion |
 Judging | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not established; director found petitioner failed to meet this criterion |
 Final merits | Not met | As volleyball coach, petitioner did not establish sustained national or international acclaim at top of field |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.