AAO Decisions Explorer · Free
Published AAO appeal decisions
Search the decisions the Administrative Appeals Office has published, narrow them by visa, criterion, field and year, and read our summary of each one with a link to the official PDF.

Decisions in the library
6,586
6,586 classified
Visa types
3
Years covered
2005-2026
Latest decision
Aug 31, 2026
Filters
13 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- EB-1AComputer science and AIDec 2025Sustained
Data streaming platform petitioned for beneficiary as EB-1A extraordinary ability. Service center granted five criteria but denied on final merits. AAO sustained appeal, finding evidence demonstrates beneficiary's sustained national and international acclaim, placing him among small percentage at top of field.
6 of 7 criteria metRead → - O-1AComputer science and AIDec 2025Dismissed
Chief technology officer at healthcare AI company. Claimed five additional criteria beyond two met by service center. AAO found venture capital funding not a recognized prize or award, membership claim unsubstantiated, and published materials not substantially about beneficiary. Beneficiary failed three-criterion threshold; appeal dismissed.
2 of 9 criteria metRead → - EB-1AChemistry and materialsDec 2025Dismissed
The beneficiary is a radiochemist sponsored by a biotechnology company for extraordinary ability classification. Six criteria were claimed, with two found satisfied by the service center. The AAO dismissed the appeal because awards, published material, and contributions were not established, leaving fewer than three criteria, and acclaim at the top of the field was not shown.
2 of 7 criteria metRead → - EB-1ABusiness and managementSep 2025Dismissed
A marketing director for a luxury resort wear company sought extraordinary ability classification through employer petition. Claimant submitted five criteria but failed three regarding awards, publications, and critical role. AAO declined final merits review after finding insufficient initial evidence threshold satisfaction.
0 of 4 criteria metRead → - EB-1ALife sciences and medicineAug 2025Dismissed
A beamline scientist at a Department of Energy facility claimed extraordinary ability under seven criteria. The AAO found three initial criteria met but concluded the totality of evidence did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the very top of the field, therefore dismissing the appeal.
3 of 7 criteria metRead → - EB-1AHealthcare, clinicalAug 2025Dismissed
Employer (veterinary group) petitioned for beneficiary, director of veterinary surgical education. Beneficiary met four initial criteria including publications and peer review. AAO dismissed, holding that while criteria were met, the totality of evidence did not show sustained national or international acclaim or position among the very top of the field.
4 of 10 criteria metRead → - O-1AArts, design, architectureMay 2025Dismissed
Dismissed · 4 criteria reviewed0 of 4 criteria metRead → - O-1AComputer science and AIMay 2025Dismissed
AI technology company petitioned for O-1A classification of chief technology officer. Beneficiary met only one criterion (judging); awards, membership, and published material criteria were not satisfied. Appeal dismissed because beneficiary could not meet minimum three criteria requirement for extraordinary ability.
1 of 7 criteria metRead → - EB-1ABusiness and managementFeb 2025Dismissed
Business manager specializing in supply chain management and strategic purchasing sought EB-1A classification. Director found one criterion met; AAO withdrew this finding. Petitioner failed to establish three required criteria: published materials concerned employer not petitioner; support letters for original contributions lacked detail and corroboration; record showed no sustained acclaim at top of field. Dismissed.
0 of 5 criteria metRead → - O-1ASports and athleticsFeb 2025Dismissed
Dismissed · 5 criteria reviewed1 of 5 criteria metRead → - EB-1AComputer science and AIJan 2025Dismissed
A gaming electronics company sought extraordinary ability classification for a foreign game design lead, claiming five criteria. The AAO found two criteria met (leading role and high salary) but rejected awards and published material claims and found insufficient sustained individual acclaim, dismissing the appeal for failing the three-criterion threshold.
2 of 11 criteria metRead → - EB-1AFinance and economicsJan 2025Remanded
Financial technology company petitions for beneficiary in fintech as extraordinary ability immigrant. Claimed six criteria; director found two met. AAO finds three criteria satisfied: judging, leading role, and scholarly articles via comparable evidence of trade show presentations. Matter remanded for final merits analysis on sustained acclaim.
3 of 11 criteria metRead → - EB-1AFinance and economics2025Dismissed
Dismissed · official decision textRead →
