EB-1AArts, design, architectureIndividualDecided November 2020Sustained
Outcome: Sustained
NOV252020_01B2203
AwardsMetLeading or critical roleMetPublished materialMetOriginal contributionsNot metFinal meritsMet
Our summary
An interior designer design director claimed four criteria: awards, published material, original contributions, and leading role. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding three criteria met and determining the totality of evidence demonstrated sustained acclaim and that petitioner qualified for extraordinary ability classification.
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 · Decision concludes petitioner met criterion (i) for lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards, finding broader reputation beyond local sponsors.
- Leading or critical role · Decision states director's conclusion that petitioner met criterion (viii) for leading or critical role at distinguished organizations was not disturbed on appeal.
- Published material · Decision finds criterion (iii) satisfied by Sina Home interviews with readership data demonstrating the articles were widely read.
- Final merits · Decision concludes petitioner demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim and extensive documentation of achievements, with clear intent to continue work in the United States.
What was missing
- Original contributions · Letters from designers attested to accomplishments but did not establish major significance of specific original contributions as required by criterion (v).
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Awards | Met | Decision concludes petitioner met criterion (i) for lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards, finding broader reputation beyond local sponsors. |
 Leading or critical role | Met | Decision states director's conclusion that petitioner met criterion (viii) for leading or critical role at distinguished organizations was not disturbed on appeal. |
 Published material | Met | Decision finds criterion (iii) satisfied by Sina Home interviews with readership data demonstrating the articles were widely read. |
 Original contributions | Not met | Letters from designers attested to accomplishments but did not establish major significance of specific original contributions as required by criterion (v). |
 Final merits | Met | Decision concludes petitioner demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim and extensive documentation of achievements, with clear intent to continue work in the United States. |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.