EB-1AOtherIndividualDecided November 2020Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
NOV242020_07B2203
JudgingNot metLeading or critical roleNot metPublished materialNot metScholarly articlesNot metOriginal contributionsClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot met
Our summary
A writer and poker lecturer with mathematical doctorates self-petitioned for extraordinary ability. Claimed five criteria (published material, judging, original contributions, scholarly articles, leading role). AAO found no criteria satisfied; publications lacked major media status, articles not in major trade publications, no top-field recognition. Appeal dismissed.
Official PDF
Official PDF ↗Published by USCIS. The summary is ours, in our own words; the decision text is on uscis.gov.
No criterion in the table was found met in this decision.
What was missing
- Judging · AAO reversed Director's finding; judging participation did not meet criterion requirements.
- Leading or critical role · Failed to show critical role at institutional level; websites not shown as distinguished establishments overall.
- Published material · Articles published online lack professional or major media status; no significant readership beyond limited audience.
- Scholarly articles · Poker columns not in major trade publications or major media; raw web traffic insufficient for comparison.
- Final merits · No sustained national or international acclaim or top percentage status shown in field.
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Judging | Not met | AAO reversed Director's finding; judging participation did not meet criterion requirements. |
 Leading or critical role | Not met | Failed to show critical role at institutional level; websites not shown as distinguished establishments overall. |
 Published material | Not met | Articles published online lack professional or major media status; no significant readership beyond limited audience. |
 Scholarly articles | Not met | Poker columns not in major trade publications or major media; raw web traffic insufficient for comparison. |
 Original contributions | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed on appeal but AAO did not substantively analyze whether criterion was met or not. |
 Final merits | Not met | No sustained national or international acclaim or top percentage status shown in field. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.