EB-1ASports and athleticsEmployerDecided May 2021Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
MAY262021_02B2203
AwardsMetMembershipMetPublished materialMetOriginal contributionsClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
Sports agent petitioned for coach advisor seeking extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found beneficiary met three initial criteria through prior national team membership and championship. However, the totality of evidence failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement at the top of coaching field.
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 · Beneficiary's national team won championship in 1996; significance established through NBC Sports corroboration
- Membership · Beneficiary's membership in national team qualifies as membership requiring outstanding achievement judged by recognized experts
- Published material · Sufficient evidence of published material about beneficiary in professional or major media
What was missing
- Final merits · Playing career ended years prior; coaching work minimally documented; beneficiary not shown to be top coach; lacks sustained national or international acclaim in current role
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Awards | Met | Beneficiary's national team won championship in 1996; significance established through NBC Sports corroboration |
 Membership | Met | Beneficiary's membership in national team qualifies as membership requiring outstanding achievement judged by recognized experts |
 Published material | Met | Sufficient evidence of published material about beneficiary in professional or major media |
 Original contributions | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not appealed; petitioner abandoned this criterion by not contesting director's conclusion |
 Final merits | Not met | Playing career ended years prior; coaching work minimally documented; beneficiary not shown to be top coach; lacks sustained national or international acclaim in current role |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.