Published AAO appeal decisions

Table tennis coach claimed extraordinary ability. Petitioner offered evidence of students' achievements and coaching recognition. AAO held petitioner did not meet awards criterion as student success does not constitute petitioner's receipt of prizes, and youth rankings insufficient; other criteria not reached.

Restaurant worker claimed extraordinary ability through employer accolades and other criteria. AAO held that restaurant rankings and awards do not satisfy the awards criterion, which requires personal documentation of excellence. Petitioner failed to meet three-criterion requirement. Appeal dismissed.

Artist's initially approved I-140 petition was revoked after notice of intent to revoke. Director found petitioner failed to establish extraordinary ability through documentary evidence under regulatory criteria. Petitioner on appeal failed to identify specific erroneous conclusions and did not submit promised supplemental evidence. Appeal summarily dismissed.

An employer petitioned for an EB-1A visa for a Chief Financial and Risk Officer in international corporate finance and strategic business development. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the beneficiary's achievements, though notable, did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Nonprofit director petitioner sought extraordinary ability classification for beneficiary. Beneficiary's acclaim in nonprofit direction and association with musical figures was claimed but not adequately documented under regulatory criteria. AAO upheld director's denial because petitioner failed to establish three qualifying evidentiary categories.

Petitioner, a horse groomer, sought EB-1A classification. Initial submission was counsel's letter without documentary evidence. Director found no qualifying evidence under regulatory criteria. Petitioner abandoned all issues on appeal. AAO found petitioner failed to meet three-evidence requirement.

Employer-sponsored petition for performing artist seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner met only one criterion. The AAO affirmed denial, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim and failure to meet the threshold of three evidentiary categories required for final merits determination.

Cycling coach sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO summarily dismissed appeal after counsel failed to identify specific errors in director's findings or submit substantive arguments, only repeating general claims of qualification.

Gymnastics coach sought EB-1A classification. AAO upheld denial, finding coach did not meet awards, membership, or published material criteria under plain language requirements and failed to establish sustained acclaim.

Coach or manager in athletics sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found awards and membership criteria not met under plain language standards. Fewer than three criteria satisfied. Petitioner must demonstrate continued work in coaching expertise. Appeal dismissed.

Master hair designer's petitioner claimed at least three regulatory criteria for EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO held petitioner failed to provide required certified translations of award documents and did not meet the threshold of three qualifying evidentiary categories, dismissing the petition.

Educator and end-of-life choices activist EB-1A petitioner claimed awards criterion through nominations and finalist designations. AAO upheld director finding that nominations alone do not satisfy receipt requirement. Final merits determination found evidence insufficient to show sustained national acclaim. Appeal dismissed.

Wrestling coach EB-1A petitioner appealed denial with general assertion that documents were underweighted but failed to identify specific director errors or address regulatory criteria. AAO summarily dismissed under 8 CFR 103.3(a)(1)(v) for lack of specific challenge to denial rationale.

An employer-sponsored EB-1A petition for extraordinary ability was denied. The petitioner met one criterion (judging) but failed to demonstrate three criteria. The AAO upheld the director's determination that the beneficiary did not establish the requisite sustained national or international acclaim. Appeal dismissed.