Published AAO appeal decisions

Production company petitions for O-1A visa for beneficiary as film producer and editor. Beneficiary lacks significant national or international award in field and has not demonstrated lead or starring roles in productions with distinguished reputation, failing to satisfy required evidentiary threshold for extraordinary ability in arts.

A sculptor petitioned to sponsor a painter as O-1A. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to satisfy the evidentiary criteria for extraordinary ability and also failed to detail wage, fee structure, and specific event dates and locations as required.

Art company petitioned to classify a Fluxus artist as O-1A extraordinary ability in the arts. The AAO dismissed, holding the beneficiary did not satisfy the evidentiary threshold; the scholarship and associated persons did not demonstrate the required level of individual distinction, and the criteria for awards and lead roles in distinguished productions were not met.

An actor sought O-1A classification for extraordinary ability in the arts. The petitioner claimed a nomination for a prestigious college acting competition as a significant award but failed to demonstrate national or international recognition. The AAO affirmed dismissal because the award was not established as nationally or internationally significant and did not analyze other criteria.

An art studio/gallery petitioned for an artist beneficiary for O-1A classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the beneficiary was neither nominated for nor received a qualifying award, and satisfied fewer than three of the six required criteria, failing to demonstrate extraordinary ability in the arts.

Agent petitioned for volleyball athlete beneficiary for O-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed, finding beneficiary failed to meet a major award or three of eight evidentiary criteria; submitted evidence lacked significance documentation and professional publication status.

A yacht management company petitioned for O-1A classification for a beneficiary in business. The AAO found beneficiary met only one evidentiary criterion and dismissed the appeal, concluding she failed to demonstrate the extraordinary ability required.