O-1ASports and athleticsEmployerDecided 2017Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
MAR232017_01D8101
JudgingMetAwardsNot metHigh salaryNot metMembershipNot metPublished materialNot metLeading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedOriginal contributionsClaimed, not analyzedScholarly articlesClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
A ballroom dance instructor and competitive athlete from Ukraine seeks O-1A classification. Only satisfied one of eight evidentiary criteria: judging. Awards lacked documented national recognition, membership requirements undemanding, published material regional not major, and salary not elevated. Decision held insufficient evidence to establish extraordinary ability.
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 · Beneficiary served as judge in ballroom dance field
What was missing
- Awards · Competition results lack documented national or international recognition
- High salary · Proffered salary of $37,000 falls within national average range, not high
- Membership · Organization membership requirements do not require outstanding achievement
- Published material · Articles mention beneficiary but not about him; publications are regional not major media
- Final merits · Only one criterion met; does not establish extraordinary ability in athletics
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Judging | Met | Beneficiary served as judge in ballroom dance field |
 Awards | Not met | Competition results lack documented national or international recognition |
 High salary | Not met | Proffered salary of $37,000 falls within national average range, not high |
 Membership | Not met | Organization membership requirements do not require outstanding achievement |
 Published material | Not met | Articles mention beneficiary but not about him; publications are regional not major media |
 Leading or critical role | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion not claimed or analyzed in decision |
 Original contributions | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion not claimed or analyzed in decision |
 Scholarly articles | Claimed, not analyzed | Criterion not claimed or analyzed in decision |
 Final merits | Not met | Only one criterion met; does not establish extraordinary ability in athletics |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.