Published AAO appeal decisions

A curator and historian of art sought EB-1A classification. The petitioner claimed six criteria but met only one (judging). The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to establish at least three initial criteria required for extraordinary ability.

An epee fencer and coach claimed extraordinary ability in athletics, asserting she met one-time achievement or three criteria. The AAO found she met only two criteria: awards and membership. Published material lacked translations; coaching accomplishments lack major significance. Dismissal affirmed.

Medical scientist sought extraordinary ability in sciences. Claimed six criteria but met none. AAO found judging role merely managerial, original contributions limited to employer, published articles not in major venues, and leadership role impact undemonstrated. Aggregate evidence insufficient for elite status.

A mathematics professor self-petitioner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO affirmed that he satisfied only two criteria: judging and scholarly articles. His original contributions claim failed because citation counts and expert assertions did not demonstrate major significance in mathematics, and he did not reach the three-criterion threshold.

A sculptor sought extraordinary ability classification in the arts. The director found only the exhibition criterion met. The AAO found two criteria satisfied, published material and exhibitions, while awards and original contributions failed for lack of evidence of recognition or impact, so fewer than three were established.

Data science researcher self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A. Met three evidentiary criteria but failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier status in the field. AAO dismissed appeal, finding publication record lacks recent work and citation impact insufficient.

Computer engineering researcher claims extraordinary ability. Met only one criterion: scholarly articles. AAO found original contributions lacked evidence of major significance; rejected other criteria. Did not establish sustained acclaim or position at top of field.

Saxophonist and yoga instructor claims extraordinary ability in arts. Met only exhibitions criterion. AAO rejected membership, original contributions, leading role, and high salary claims. Prior O-1 approval did not bind I-140 decision; failed three-criterion threshold.

Dancer and choreographer sought extraordinary ability classification. Claimed six criteria but met only one. Decision held that nominating is not receiving an award, performances lack field impact, and background dancer role lacks responsibility for organizational success or commercial outcomes.

Journalist covering South Asia sought extraordinary ability classification. Claimed six criteria but met only one. Decision rejected award nomination, articles not about petitioner, judging unsupported by documentation, and journalism work lacking field-wide impact despite employment at distinguished news organization.

Banking executive sought EB-1A extraordinary ability in business. Met two criteria: leading critical role and high salary. Failed to meet third required criterion on original contributions. AAO found aggregate evidence insufficient and did not conduct final merits determination.

Cell biologist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability in sciences. Petitioner met initial three criteria: judging, original contributions, and scholarly articles. On final merits analysis, AAO found petitioner's accomplishments not commensurate with sustained national or international acclaim required. Appeal dismissed.

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.

Sports manager seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification claimed three criteria but met none. Decision found membership did not require outstanding achievements judged by experts, publications lacked evidence of major media status, and business founding lacked demonstrated major field impact. Appeal dismissed.

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.

An options market consultant and educator self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability. The AAO found the petitioner met none of the analyzed regulatory criteria and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement at the top of the field. Appeal dismissed.

Chinese calligrapher sought EB-1A extraordinary ability in the arts. Director found only two criteria met; petitioner claimed three additional criteria on appeal. AAO agreed petitioner failed to satisfy regulatory requirements for those criteria. Aggregate review did not support extraordinary ability level required.

A materials research engineer sought extraordinary ability classification in the sciences. Two criteria, judging and scholarly articles, were accepted. The AAO rejected original contributions and leading or critical role claims, leaving fewer than three criteria. It dismissed the appeal and noted the aggregate record also fell short on expertise.

A cardiologist conducting research on Takotsubo cardiomyopathy sought EB-1A classification in the sciences. The petitioner met two of three required criteria: judging and scholarly articles. Original contributions failed despite citations and journal publications; the petitioner did not demonstrate commensurate impact or unusual reliance on his work. Leading role claim lacked specificity about organizational criticality. Appeal dismissed.

A chemist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO held petitioner satisfied only two of ten required criteria (judging and published material), failing to meet the three-criterion threshold for extraordinary ability demonstrating sustained national or international acclaim.

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.

A software architect consultant sought EB-1A classification with a master's degree in computer science. The AAO found he failed original contributions, scholarly articles, and salary criteria. He provided no comparable evidence under regulations. The appeal was dismissed for insufficient initial evidence.