Outcome: Dismissed
NOV302020_05B2203
Our summary
Martial arts athlete and coach in taekwondo, muay thai, and hapkido sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found he met three evidentiary criteria: national awards, published material, and judging. However, the final merits analysis concluded he lacked sustained national or international acclaim required for EB-1A.
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 · National-level awards received as taekwondo and muay thai athlete at top events meet criterion
- Judging · Certified as international level hapkido judge and international level referee
- Published material · Single article in major newspaper about petitioner meets published material criterion
What was missing
- Final merits · Despite meeting three criteria, record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or place among small percentage at top of martial arts field
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Met | National-level awards received as taekwondo and muay thai athlete at top events meet criterion | |
| Met | Certified as international level hapkido judge and international level referee | |
| Met | Single article in major newspaper about petitioner meets published material criterion | |
| Not met | Despite meeting three criteria, record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or place among small percentage at top of martial arts field |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.
