Published AAO appeal decisions

Beneficiary sought extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner submitted evidence of institutional awards, association membership, and newspaper mentions. AAO held awards non-qualifying as institutional only, membership criterion requires plural, and published materials failed to meet regulatory requirements for identification and subject matter.

An artist claimed extraordinary ability under five regulatory criteria including awards, membership, published material, original contributions, and leading role. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding awards criterion unsupported by certified translations and insufficient evidence of recognition, and rejecting other criteria as untimely raised or unanalyzed.

An athlete petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The petitioner claimed awards, published material, and high salary criteria. The AAO found only high salary met, falling short of the three criteria required; the appeal was dismissed for insufficient documentation of sustained national or international acclaim.