EB-1AArts, design, architectureIndividualDecided March 2021Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
MAR262021_10B2203
AwardsMetExhibitionsNot metOriginal contributionsNot metPublished materialNot metJudgingClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
A multimedia artist sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming five evidentiary criteria. The AAO found the awards criterion satisfied but concluded he did not meet at least three, treating judging as waived. As an alternate basis, it held the record showed no sustained acclaim or top-of-field standing, dismissing the appeal.
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 · Awards given across several fields still recognized the petitioner's work in his own field, satisfying the criterion.
What was missing
- Exhibitions · Not established; overall conclusion was fewer than three criteria met, with detailed analysis truncated.
- Original contributions · Not established; fewer than three criteria satisfied overall, with detailed analysis not shown in the text.
- Published material · Director found articles failed regulatory requirements; overall result shows fewer than three criteria; detailed analysis truncated.
- Final merits · Recent online recognition fell short of sustained acclaim, and petitioner conceded he is not at the top of the field.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Awards | Met | Awards given across several fields still recognized the petitioner's work in his own field, satisfying the criterion. |
 Exhibitions | Not met | Not established; overall conclusion was fewer than three criteria met, with detailed analysis truncated. |
 Original contributions | Not met | Not established; fewer than three criteria satisfied overall, with detailed analysis not shown in the text. |
 Published material | Not met | Director found articles failed regulatory requirements; overall result shows fewer than three criteria; detailed analysis truncated. |
 Judging | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed; petitioner did not contest the denial on appeal, so the issue was waived. |
 Final merits | Not met | Recent online recognition fell short of sustained acclaim, and petitioner conceded he is not at the top of the field. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.