Outcome: Remanded
MAY282025_04B2203
Our summary
A professional soccer player sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming five criteria. The AAO found awards and published material met, rejected original contributions and high salary, and sustained leading role. With three criteria satisfied, the case was remanded for a final merits analysis of sustained national or international acclaim.
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 · SCOPS found criterion met; AAO did not disturb this conclusion
- Leading or critical role · Consistently high scoring record demonstrates critical role for distinguished teams
- Published material · SCOPS found criterion met; AAO did not disturb this conclusion
What was missing
- High salary · Petitioner did not establish high salary relative to others in field
- Original contributions · Petitioner failed to show original contributions of major significance in soccer field
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Met | SCOPS found criterion met; AAO did not disturb this conclusion | |
| Met | Consistently high scoring record demonstrates critical role for distinguished teams | |
| Met | SCOPS found criterion met; AAO did not disturb this conclusion | |
| Not met | Petitioner did not establish high salary relative to others in field | |
| Not met | Petitioner failed to show original contributions of major significance in soccer field | |
| Not reached / not discussed | Three criteria satisfied; remanded for final merits determination on sustained acclaim |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.
