Published AAO appeal decisions

A dance studio sought O-1 classification for a competitive dancer, choreographer and coach under the arts standard. The AAO found the work was athletic, not artistic, and that the evidence met only one of the arts criteria. This is an O-1B arts-standard filing, so the appeal was dismissed.

General operations professional sought EB-2 NIW classification. AAO found foreign degree equivalent to three years of U.S. study, not a bachelor's degree, despite academic evaluations claiming otherwise. Educational evaluation implausibly credited five-year equivalent in three years. Ineligible for underlying EB-2; NIW prongs not reached.

Drilling engineer with advanced degree seeking national interest waiver for EB-2 classification. Petitioner claimed endeavor in oil and gas drilling had national importance. AAO affirmed Director's finding that endeavor had substantial merit but lacked evidence of national importance; general industry importance does not establish specific endeavor's national importance without prospective economic impact data.

Plant researcher seeking EB-2 with national interest waiver for plant propagation research. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner failed to describe specific proposed endeavor and did not show how his individual work would impact the broader field at national level.

Restaurant and catering business petitioned for culinary director as O-1A extraordinary ability beneficiary. AAO found beneficiary met only one of six possible criteria (high salary) and failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or distinguished reputation in culinary events, thus denying the petition.

Research associate in physics seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met three of ten initial evidentiary criteria including judging and scholarly articles. AAO held evidence insufficient for final merits determination; routine research activities and limited recognition do not establish sustained acclaim or top-tier status required for extraordinary ability.

Political scientist sought EB-2 national interest waiver after qualifying for advanced degree classification. Director found substantial merit but not national importance. AAO affirmed, holding petitioner failed to demonstrate specific prospective impact of Central Asian affairs research on field or U.S. economy at requisite level.

Motion on P-1 nonimmigrant visa petition for boxer. Petitioner sought to reopen appeal of Service Center denial. AAO dismissed motion to reopen and motion to reconsider as lacking new facts addressing distinguished competition and international reputation requirements.

A cleaning-products manufacturer petitioned for its president, seeking an advanced degree classification with a national interest waiver. The service center found the degree qualification met but denied the waiver. The AAO dismissed the appeal, holding that national importance of the endeavor was not shown through employment or economic effects, and reserved the other prongs.

A sports coordinator and trainer sought EB-2 with national interest waiver under Dhanasar. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance, despite addressing the important issue of childhood obesity. The petitioner failed to show the work would impact U.S. soccer or public health broadly or generate substantial positive economic effects.

Medical researcher in liver transplantation sought EB-2 NIW. Service center found advanced degree qualification but denied waiver. AAO found proposed research had national importance but petitioner was not well positioned to advance it—lacking sufficient publication record, citations, and field recognition to demonstrate success trajectory.

A talent agency petitioned for O-1A classification for a stand-up comedian. The petitioner claimed lead performer status, national recognition, and commercial success. The AAO found the petitioner satisfied fewer than three required evidentiary criteria and dismissed the appeal without reaching the overall sustained acclaim analysis.

A martial arts school petitioned for O-1 classification for a coach. The beneficiary met only one criterion (judging). The AAO affirmed dismissal because membership and published material criteria were not satisfied and beneficiary failed to establish at least three of eight required criteria for extraordinary ability.

Employer-sponsored public relations manager with advanced degree sought EB-2 NIW. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to establish national importance under Dhanasar; her proposed work was limited to specific employers and clients without broader economic or field-level impact.

A skydiving center sought to employ a beneficiary as an O-1A nonimmigrant skydiving instructor. The beneficiary met only the awards criterion but failed to establish at least three required criteria overall; the appeal was dismissed because the petitioner could not satisfy the initial evidentiary threshold.

A military officer with advanced degree in special and tactical operations seeks EB-2 NIW. The petitioner proposed creating a security consulting company. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the endeavor fails to demonstrate national importance or substantial economic effects under Dhanasar.

Legal analyst sought EB-2 national interest waiver. Director found petitioner qualified for underlying EB-2 classification but failed all three Dhanasar prongs. AAO affirmed, finding petitioner changed proposed endeavor from legal analyst to legal business analyst entrepreneur, preventing coherent Dhanasar analysis.

Beneficiary seeking EB-1A as athletic instruction school chief instructor and former competitor. AAO dismissed because beneficiary met only one of ten criteria (judging) when three required; lacks sustained recent national/international acclaim; record does not support extraordinary ability.

Computer systems analyst working in SAP Basis administration claimed seven evidentiary criteria. AAO affirmed dismissal, finding only two criteria met (scholarly articles and high salary) but not the leading critical role criterion petitioner emphasized on appeal. Without three criteria met, petitioner lacks sustained acclaim at top of field despite successful career.

Fitness management company petitioned for O-1A classification for bodybuilder after initial approval was revoked. AAO dismissed appeal, affirming revocation because beneficiary met only awards criterion and lacked sufficient documentation of membership, publications, and legitimate high salary evidence.

A boutique pastry shop petitioned to classify its executive head pastry chef under O-1A extraordinary ability. The beneficiary claimed five criteria. The AAO found recommendation letters do not constitute required evidentiary forms, online publication does not meet major publication standard, and salary evidence was insufficient, dismissing the appeal.

Horse breeding business petitioned for stallion manager as O-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed seven criteria but AAO found only one met. Comparable evidence for awards criterion rejected because petitioner failed to show criterion does not apply to occupation. Appeal dismissed.