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O-1ASports and athleticsEmployerDecided October 2023Dismissed

Outcome: Dismissed

OCT022023_02D8101

High salaryMetAwardsNot metOriginal contributionsNot metScholarly articlesNot metJudgingClaimed, not analyzedLeading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedMembershipClaimed, not analyzedPublished materialClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot reached / not discussed

Our summary

International youth hockey program sought O-1A visa for head coach. Beneficiary met only one of eight evidentiary criteria (high salary). AAO dismissed appeal finding petitioner failed to demonstrate three required criteria and thus could not reach totality evaluation of extraordinary ability in athletics.

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

  • High salary · Director found beneficiary satisfied high salary criterion

What was missing

  • Awards · No major internationally recognized award demonstrated
  • Original contributions · Playbook lacked specific information about impact or significance
  • Scholarly articles · Did not demonstrate major significance in field

Criteria

CriterionReadingWhy
High salaryMetDirector found beneficiary satisfied high salary criterion
AwardsNot metNo major internationally recognized award demonstrated
Original contributionsNot metPlaybook lacked specific information about impact or significance
Scholarly articlesNot metDid not demonstrate major significance in field
JudgingClaimed, not analyzedNot claimed or analyzed in this decision
Leading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedClaimed but not reached; petition failed minimum criteria
MembershipClaimed, not analyzedNot claimed or analyzed in this decision
Published materialClaimed, not analyzedNot claimed or analyzed in this decision
Final meritsNot reached / not discussedNot reached; beneficiary satisfied only one criterion, need three minimum

A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.

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