Published AAO appeal decisions

Professional soccer player and coach sought extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed awards, membership, and published material. AAO found club-level awards not nationally or internationally recognized, membership participation as player irrelevant to coaching acclaim, and published articles lacked sustained acclaim documentation in major media.

Acrobatic performer claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability. Beneficiary met two of ten criteria including original contributions to knockabout style. AAO found evidence of talent and influence but insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at very top of acrobatic field. Appeal dismissed.

Biomedical researcher seeking EB-1A classification met two criteria: original contributions and scholarly articles, evidenced by National Academy of Science endorsements and citations. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding only two of three required criteria met and that evidence did not establish sustained national or international acclaim at the very top.

Pharmacokinetics reviewer at FDA sought EB-1A classification. The AAO found petitioner met only the scholarly articles criterion and failed to meet three required criteria. Evidence did not establish sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the scientific field.

An employer petitioned for O-1A classification of an endocrinologist for temporary three-year employment. The AAO held the beneficiary met only the membership criterion but failed to establish three criteria overall and lacked sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Counsel-represented postdoctoral researcher in sciences sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding insufficient evidence that petitioner achieved sustained national or international acclaim or ranked within the small percentage at the very top of his field.

Research chemist in supramolecular chemistry seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed multiple criteria, met original contributions (novel compounds), but AAO dismissed appeal, finding only one criterion solidly met, insufficient judging and leading role evidence, and lack of sustained national or international acclaim required.

Scientist with counsel representation claimed extraordinary ability in research on protein folding. AAO found valuable contributions but no sustained national or international acclaim demonstrating top-of-field status. Unsolicited evidence of major contributions absent. Appeal dismissed.

Tile and stone fabricator-installer whose employer petitioned for extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner submitted only job description and blank pay stub, no documentation relating to any criterion. Record does not establish national acclaim or top-level standing.

Mechanical engineer researcher claiming EB-1A extraordinary ability. Counsel argued petitioner's important research should qualify despite criterion requirements. AAO found evidence shows talent but fails to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among top of field, dismissing appeal.

Petitioner seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Counsel indicated brief and evidence would follow but failed to submit materials after nearly ten months. AAO issued notices and granted five-day response period. Counsel acknowledged non-compliance, leading to summary dismissal.

A marketing company sponsored a professional body boarder for O-1A nonimmigrant classification. Service center director denied finding beneficiary lacked sustained acclaim and top-tier standing required. On appeal, petitioner failed to specifically address grounds for denial. Appeal summarily dismissed.

A medical professional in anesthesia and critical care claimed extraordinary ability through awards, memberships, judging, publications, and institutional role. The AAO found none of the criteria met: exam results are not awards, memberships required only completion, judging lacked national recognition, publications lacked citation evidence, and institutional role was not at distinguished level. Appeal dismissed for insufficient evidence of sustained acclaim.

Acrobatic performer claimed extraordinary ability through awards, publications, and original contributions. AAO found awards not nationally recognized, publications lacked major-media status, but original contribution criterion met through evidence of innovative style. Overall record failed to meet three-criterion threshold or demonstrate sustained international acclaim at highest level.

A senior designer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The petitioner claimed published materials, original contributions, and commercial success. The AAO found one criterion met but concluded the overall evidence did not demonstrate sustained acclaim at the very top of the field, so dismissed the appeal.

An ice dancer and coach claimed extraordinary ability in athletics. The AAO found awards in ice dancing did not demonstrate preeminence, USFSA membership involved only sectional and junior competitions rather than top level, and coaching claims lacked comparable evidence of sustained acclaim. Petitioner met fewer than three criteria in either capacity.

Olympic gold medalist seeking EB-1A as coach and consultant at athletic shoe store. Won international acclaim as athlete with Olympic gold medal. AAO found award demonstrated top status but no sustained acclaim through subsequent coaching or consulting, with insufficient evidence of coached athletes' accomplishments.

Inventor and consultant in packaging and industrial machines sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner met two criteria but required three; evidence of patented inventions lacked corporate confirmation of national impact and sustained implementation.

Healthcare professional beneficiary; employer petitioned for extraordinary ability classification. AAO found beneficiary met two criteria but evidence fell far short of third required. Awards and membership established, but original contributions, leading roles, and publications failed to demonstrate sustained national acclaim at highest level.

Former Olympic gold medalist athlete seeking EB-1A classification to work as coach and consultant for athletic shoe store. Claimed sustained acclaim through coaching and consulting. AAO dismissed appeal, finding Olympic medal alone insufficient and coaching work lacked documented evidence of sustained national or international acclaim.

Senior quantitative analyst for financial institution claimed extraordinary ability in business. Met original contributions criterion through cutting-edge forecasting work but failed membership, judging, critical role, and high salary criteria. AAO dismissed appeal; only one criterion met when three required.

Acrobat performer claimed extraordinary ability in arts. Met original contributions criterion through documented unique techniques and style influence but failed awards and published material criteria. AAO found only two criteria met when three required; dismissed for lack of sustained national or international acclaim.

Employer-sponsored petition for semiconductor laser physics researcher claiming extraordinary ability through awards and research grants. AAO found the Russian award was a state scholarship not a nationally recognized prize, the Japanese fellowship was funding not an excellence award, and grant documentation was incomplete and uncertified. Appeal dismissed.

Acrobat in knockabout slapstick style claimed extraordinary ability through awards, publications, and original contributions. AAO found one original contribution criterion met. However, awards not nationally recognized and publications insufficient. Overall, record fails to demonstrate sustained national acclaim or distinction at top of field.

Marine propeller repair and tuning instructor claimed extraordinary ability but submitted no documentation of any regulatory criteria. Petitioner asserted beneficiary brings value to industry without evidence. AAO found no evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or distinction at top of field.