Published AAO appeal decisions

Music producer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found he met three initial evidence criteria but failed final merits determination: recognition limited to collaborators and associates, lacking sustained national or international acclaim positioning him among the very top of the field.

Table tennis player seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability claimed one-time achievement and three criteria. Met only awards and published material criteria (two total), falling short of three required. No major internationally recognized award found. Appeal dismissed.

Financial journalist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Met at least three criteria including awards, judging/leading roles, and published material. AAO sustained appeal, finding record demonstrated sustained national acclaim and expertise indicating top small percentage in journalism field.

Jewelry designer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed three criteria but met only one: artistic exhibitions. AAO dismissed appeal, finding she failed to demonstrate nationally recognized awards, published material, original contributions of major significance, or sustained acclaim warranting top-tier classification.

CFD scientist petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in sciences, meeting scholarly articles and leading role criteria. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner satisfied only two of ten required regulatory criteria and failed to demonstrate major significance contributions or outstanding membership, falling short of three-criterion threshold.

Computer scientist petitioner claimed extraordinary ability, meeting judging and scholarly articles criteria. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner satisfied only two criteria and failed to establish original contributions of major significance or leading role, not reaching three-criterion threshold for final merits consideration.

A powerboat racer sought EB-1A classification as an individual with extraordinary ability. The petitioner claimed awards, membership, and published material criteria. The AAO found the awards criterion met but membership and published material not met. Because fewer than three criteria were satisfied, the AAO dismissed the appeal without reaching the final merits analysis.

Theoretical physicist claimed extraordinary ability through biographic volume inclusion, peer review participation, scholarly articles, and peer letters. AAO found he failed to meet three of ten criteria; awards lacked recognition, recent publications absent, and original contributions showed only speculative future impact rather than established field significance.

A satellite television news producer sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming awards, published material, judging, scholarly articles, a leading role and contributions. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the awards, media coverage, judging and contribution evidence insufficient and the aggregate record short of the required expertise. The decision's treatment of the scholarly articles and leading role criteria is internally inconsistent.

Professional golfer appeals denial. Claimed membership and high salary criteria on appeal; two criteria met overall. AAO dismissed, finding membership requires outstanding achievement not demonstrated and salary at developmental level insufficient for top-tier classification.

Chemist sought EB-1A classification for extraordinary ability in science. Petitioner claimed six criteria but satisfied only two: judging and scholarly articles. The AAO held that awards, membership, published material, and original contributions were not met, dismissing appeal for failure to meet three-criterion threshold.

Motion graphics artist sought EB-1A classification in the arts. Director found only one criterion met (artistic display). Petitioner appealed claiming two additional criteria but provided insufficient evidence of awards, published material, or original contributions of major significance. AAO affirmed dismissal.

Human resources assistant sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed multiple criteria but failed to meet any of them. Director found no major award, no valid published material, no scholarly articles, insufficient evidence of original contributions, leading role, or high salary. AAO affirmed denial.

A post-production designer and animator in advertising and film sought EB-1A classification. The petitioner claimed three criteria but failed to satisfy the plain language requirements of any of them. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding insufficient evidence of extraordinary ability.

Computer and systems engineer claimed extraordinary ability. Met two of ten criteria: leading or critical role and high salary. Did not meet three criteria threshold required for initial evidence. Appeal dismissed because petitioner failed to satisfy evidentiary requirements.

Geologist and petroleum researcher claiming extraordinary ability in hydrocarbon modeling. Failed to meet three criteria threshold. Awards not nationally recognized, judging role informal only, and original contributions lacked major field significance. Appeal dismissed; petitioner did not establish required expertise level.

Architect claims extraordinary ability. Met only one criterion: exhibitions. AAO rejected awards, membership, published material, leading role, and commercial success criteria. Found petitioner failed to meet three-criterion threshold; did not establish sustained acclaim or top status.

Dancer and choreographer self-petitioner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed multiple regulatory criteria but satisfied only one: critical role at distinguished organization. AAO affirmed denial because only one criterion met, not three required, and overall evidence did not show sustained acclaim at top of field.

Researcher in gastroenterology sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Director initially found only two criteria met, but AAO considered three criteria in final merits determination. AAO found petitioner failed all analyzed criteria and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required for classification.

Freestyle wrestler sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met at least three criteria including awards and published material, but failed final merits determination. AAO found evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or place among small percentage at top of field.

A radiation oncologist seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed multiple criteria; AAO found three criteria technically met but dismissed the appeal, concluding the totality of evidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement at the very top of the field of endeavor.

An opera soprano sought EB-1A classification as an artist of extraordinary ability. She satisfied three initial criteria: awards, judging, and exhibitions. However, the AAO found she failed the final merits determination, lacking the sustained national or international acclaim necessary to demonstrate she is among the small percentage at the very top of her field.