Published AAO appeal decisions

A postdoctoral cardiology researcher sought EB-1A classification. The AAO concurred with the director that the petitioner met no criteria of the ten regulatory requirements. Despite talent demonstrated through articles and letters, evidence does not show sustained national or international acclaim or placement within the small percentage at the very top.

Armwrestling professional athlete sought EB-1A classification claiming extraordinary ability. The AAO found awards were local or regional rather than nationally or internationally recognized, published materials were absent from major media, and petitioner failed to meet three required criteria. Petition dismissed for insufficient evidence of sustained acclaim at the top level.

Postdoctoral researcher in sciences claimed extraordinary ability through awards, membership, publication, and peer review. AAO found all claimed criteria unmet: awards were academic only, membership lacked proof of outstanding achievement requirement, publication lacked journal verification, peer review was routine without distinction. Overall record failed to show sustained national acclaim or top-tier positioning.

A construction designer self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability, claiming awards, membership, judging, and exhibitions. The AAO found none of the criteria adequately supported, noting incomplete competition results, local-only membership standards, unverified judging role, and unsubstantiated gallery claims. Overall evidence failed the top percentile requirement.

A pianist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification, claiming criteria through awards, published material, judging, performances, and critical role at a distinguished institution. The AAO found only one criterion met but concluded the overall evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement in the very top of her field.

A scientist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability, claiming awards, membership, and published material with citations. The AAO found only the scholarly articles criterion met through citation evidence. Two criteria are insufficient, and the overall evidence failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.

Visual artist claimed extraordinary ability in arts through awards, membership, publications, and exhibitions. AAO found all criteria unmet: award was participation only, membership lacked achievement requirement, publications were dated and regional, exhibitions were local arrangements. Petitioner did not demonstrate sustained national acclaim or positioning at field's highest level.

A neuroscience researcher claimed extraordinary ability through fellowship, memberships, and journal review. The AAO found only journal review criterion met; the fellowship indicated promise rather than sustained acclaim, and memberships lacked evidence of stringent standards. Only one criterion satisfied; researcher was promising but had not achieved sustained national or international acclaim at the very top level. Appeal dismissed.

Peking Opera performing artist sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found awards absent, membership local-only, publications dated with juvenile descriptions, and exhibitions criterion inapplicable to performers. Petitioner failed to meet three criteria and lacked evidence of sustained national acclaim or clear intent to continue performing in the United States.

An inventor and consultant in packaging and industrial machines claimed extraordinary ability through awards, memberships, media coverage, patents, and institutional roles. The AAO found awards and memberships met but rejected published material, original contributions lacking sustained national impact evidence, and leading role. Only two criteria satisfied; innovations lacked proven sustained national recognition despite company use. Appeal dismissed.

A financial investment advisor self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in business. The AAO found only one criterion met and dismissed the appeal, concluding the petitioner failed to establish sustained national or international acclaim at the very top level of the field.

An equestrian show jumper self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in athletics. The AAO found only one criterion met and dismissed the appeal, concluding training and competition achievements did not establish the required sustained national or international acclaim.

A self-represented petitioner, apparently working in an artistic field, claimed extraordinary ability through awards, membership, published material and judging. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the evidence did not show the stature of the awards, membership requirements, major media coverage or judging role, and also found no evidence of intent to continue work in the United States.

A pianist self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in the arts. The AAO found only one criterion met despite counsel's submissions and dismissed the appeal, concluding the petitioner showed talent but not sustained national or international acclaim at the very top.

A vegetable carver sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found the petitioner failed to meet at least three of ten regulatory criteria, lacking evidence of nationally or internationally recognized awards, qualifying association membership, or regular display at exclusive venues. Appeal dismissed.

Research scientist seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification in sciences. Claimed awards, membership, publications, citations, and judging participation. AAO affirmed denial, finding petitioner shows talent but lacks evidence establishing sustained national or international acclaim placing him among small percentage at field top.

An artist in calligraphy and graphic arts sought EB-1A classification. The AAO found insufficient evidence of major awards, qualifying association membership, published materials, or judging activity. The petitioner failed to meet the three required criteria for sustained national or international acclaim. Appeal dismissed.

An epidemiologist with published research on myocardial infarction and sleep apnea sought EB-1A classification. The AAO found the petitioner failed three-criterion threshold, lacking major nationally recognized awards, media recognition timed before filing, or widespread field acknowledgment of contributions as breakthrough work. Appeal dismissed.

A vegetable carver self-petitioner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found insufficient evidence of nationally recognized awards, qualifying association membership, or regular display at exclusive venues. Additionally, no evidence of intention to continue work in the United States. Appeal dismissed.

Cancer researcher seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification in sciences. Claimed awards, membership, publications, contributions, scholarly articles, and critical role. AAO affirmed denial on all criteria, finding petitioner a valued colleague but lacking evidence of sustained national or international acclaim at field top level.

Nuclear physicist self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability through multiple criteria. AAO found petitioner satisfied only scholarly articles criterion. Awards, membership, judging, contributions, and leading role all failed. Insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim at very top level. Appeal dismissed.

Computer science assistant professor sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner met only the judging criterion through peer review; insufficient to satisfy three-criterion requirement. Evidence showed talent but not sustained national or international acclaim.

A research scientist studying bacterial disease mechanisms filed for EB-1A extraordinary ability. He claimed multiple criteria including awards, membership, publications, judging, and original contributions. The AAO affirmed denial, finding he failed to meet three criteria and lacked the sustained national or international acclaim required.

A professional soccer player self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability. Decision found he failed to demonstrate intent to continue work in the United States at filing and lacked sustained national or international acclaim placing him at the very top of his field.

Software engineer self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability through awards, publications, and scholarly articles. AAO found petitioner met fewer than three required criteria. Awards lacked documented national stature, publications insufficient evidence, and articles did not demonstrate sustained acclaim. Petition dismissed.