EB-1AFilm, music, performing artsIndividualDecided September 2021Sustained
Outcome: Sustained
SEP222021_01B2203
AwardsMetExhibitionsMetJudgingMetCommercial successNot metPublished materialNot metLeading or critical roleClaimed, not analyzedFinal meritsMet
Our summary
An actor seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. She claimed six criteria including awards, published material, judging, and exhibitions. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding three criteria met and, on final merits, determining her decades-long award-winning career with consistent media coverage establishes sustained national acclaim at the top of her field.
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 · Won National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2000
- Exhibitions · Director found petitioner met artistic exhibitions criterion; AAO did not disturb
- Judging · Director found petitioner met judging criterion; AAO did not disturb
- Final merits · Award-winning career with decades-long prominence and sustained national acclaim demonstrated
What was missing
- Commercial success · Claims about box office and sold-out performances lack corroborating documentation
- Published material · Many submitted articles lacked required author credit; not enough for criterion
Criteria
| Criterion | Reading | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Awards | Met | Won National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2000 |
 Exhibitions | Met | Director found petitioner met artistic exhibitions criterion; AAO did not disturb |
 Judging | Met | Director found petitioner met judging criterion; AAO did not disturb |
 Commercial success | Not met | Claims about box office and sold-out performances lack corroborating documentation |
 Published material | Not met | Many submitted articles lacked required author credit; not enough for criterion |
 Leading or critical role | Claimed, not analyzed | Claimed but not analyzed; three criteria sufficient to proceed |
 Final merits | Met | Award-winning career with decades-long prominence and sustained national acclaim demonstrated |
A published decision describes one case. It is not legal advice and not a prediction for yours.