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EB-1ASports and athleticsIndividualDecided May 2025Dismissed

Outcome: Dismissed

MAY122025_03B2203

AwardsMetPublished materialMetMembershipNot metLeading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met

Our summary

Professional soccer player seeking EB-1A as intending soccer coach. AAO dismissed appeal, finding only two of six claimed criteria met. Petitioner lacked coaching evidence and sustained acclaim in new field; transition from athlete to coach does not satisfy extraordinary ability standard for small percentage at field's top.

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 · Won Brazilian national championships with teams in 2009 and 2011
  • Published material · Record contained media articles relating to his professional soccer career

What was missing

  • Membership · Employment on team rosters did not satisfy membership criterion requirements
  • Final merits · Only met two of three criteria minimum; no sustained acclaim as coach; transitioning from athlete to coach insufficient

Criteria

CriterionReadingWhy
AwardsMetWon Brazilian national championships with teams in 2009 and 2011
Published materialMetRecord contained media articles relating to his professional soccer career
MembershipNot metEmployment on team rosters did not satisfy membership criterion requirements
Leading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedClaimed but not analyzed for remaining criteria
Final meritsNot metOnly met two of three criteria minimum; no sustained acclaim as coach; transitioning from athlete to coach insufficient

A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.

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