EB-1AArts, design, architectureIndividualDecided September 2022Sustained
Outcome: Sustained
SEP192022_01B2203
ExhibitionsMetJudgingMetPublished materialMetLeading or critical roleNot metMembershipNot metOriginal contributionsNot metAwardsClaimed, not analyzedHigh salaryClaimed, not analyzedScholarly articlesClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsMet
Our summary
Tattoo artist and painter claimed seven criteria; Director found three threshold criteria met. AAO sustained appeal, finding at final merits that petitioner achieved sustained national or international acclaim through substantial media presence, large social media following, and documented professional recognition as widely respected artist.
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
- Exhibitions · Director found criterion met; not disturbed on appeal
- Judging · Director found criterion met; invited to judge at national Tattoo Arts Convention; not disturbed on appeal
- Published material · Director found criterion met; featured in articles listing best tattoo artists; not disturbed on appeal
- Final merits · Petitioner achieved sustained national or international acclaim as widely respected tattoo artist with substantial social media following and documented professional recognition
What was missing
- Leading or critical role · Petitioner reasserted on appeal but AAO agreed with Director's rejection
- Membership · Director and AAO rejected; petitioner reasserted on appeal without success
- Original contributions · Petitioner reasserted on appeal but AAO agreed with Director's rejection
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Exhibitions | Met | Director found criterion met; not disturbed on appeal |
 Judging | Met | Director found criterion met; invited to judge at national Tattoo Arts Convention; not disturbed on appeal |
 Published material | Met | Director found criterion met; featured in articles listing best tattoo artists; not disturbed on appeal |
 Leading or critical role | Not met | Petitioner reasserted on appeal but AAO agreed with Director's rejection |
 Membership | Not met | Director and AAO rejected; petitioner reasserted on appeal without success |
 Original contributions | Not met | Petitioner reasserted on appeal but AAO agreed with Director's rejection |
 Awards | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not reached; threshold criteria already satisfied |
 High salary | Claimed, not analyzed | Not claimed or analyzed |
 Scholarly articles | Claimed, not analyzed | Not claimed or analyzed |
 Final merits | Met | Petitioner achieved sustained national or international acclaim as widely respected tattoo artist with substantial social media following and documented professional recognition |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.