EB-1ABusiness and managementIndividualDecided September 2025Dismissed
Outcome: Dismissed
SEP162025_01B2203
JudgingMetScholarly articlesMetLeading or critical roleNot metMembershipNot metPublished materialNot metAwardsClaimed, not analyzedCommercial successClaimed, not analyzedExhibitionsClaimed, not analyzedHigh salaryClaimed, not analyzedOriginal contributionsClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsNot reached / not discussed
Our summary
International trade specialist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed six criteria and service center found two met. On appeal, petitioner contended three additional criteria were satisfied. AAO affirmed service center's findings, concluding petitioner met only two criteria (judging and scholarly articles), below the three-criterion threshold, and dismissed the appeal without reaching final merits.
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
- Judging · Service center determined this criterion was satisfied; AAO did not disturb this finding
- Scholarly articles · Service center determined this criterion was satisfied; AAO did not disturb this finding
What was missing
- Leading or critical role · Letters about editorial committee and professor roles do not demonstrate leading or critical role for distinguished organizations
- Membership · Association bylaws do not require outstanding achievements or use recognized experts for evaluation
- Published material · Article quoted petitioner but was not primarily about petitioner or his work as international trade specialist
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Judging | Met | Service center determined this criterion was satisfied; AAO did not disturb this finding |
 Scholarly articles | Met | Service center determined this criterion was satisfied; AAO did not disturb this finding |
 Leading or critical role | Not met | Letters about editorial committee and professor roles do not demonstrate leading or critical role for distinguished organizations |
 Membership | Not met | Association bylaws do not require outstanding achievements or use recognized experts for evaluation |
 Published material | Not met | Article quoted petitioner but was not primarily about petitioner or his work as international trade specialist |
 Awards | Claimed, not analyzed | Petitioner did not claim or submit evidence of major internationally recognized award |
 Commercial success | Claimed, not analyzed | Petitioner did not claim this criterion |
 Exhibitions | Claimed, not analyzed | Petitioner did not claim this criterion |
 High salary | Claimed, not analyzed | Petitioner did not claim this criterion |
 Original contributions | Claimed, not analyzed | Petitioner did not claim this criterion |
 Final merits | Not reached / not discussed | Decision declined to reach final merits because petitioner failed to satisfy three alternative criteria |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.