Published AAO appeal decisions

Judo and sambo athlete and coach seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner met only one of three required evidentiary criteria through bronze medal at World Sambo Championship. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to satisfy at least three criteria and lacked sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Self-petitioner taekwondo athlete and trainer seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification claimed to meet six of ten evidentiary criteria. The AAO affirmed denial, finding petitioner failed to meet any three criteria and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier status in the field.

Self-petitioner fashion designer and CEO seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability claimed to meet five evidentiary criteria. The AAO sustained, finding petitioner satisfied four criteria and demonstrated sustained national and international acclaim with recognition from major media and fashion industry professionals despite brief career tenure.

Mathematics educator sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed, finding only two of three required criteria met (judging and scholarly articles). Coaching awards lacked evidence of national recognition, and publications did not meet major media standards.

Documentary portrait photographer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner met four evidentiary criteria and demonstrated sustained international acclaim through critical recognition and exhibitions. Appeal sustained; petitioner qualifies as individual of extraordinary ability.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor claimed three criteria including major awards, published material, and membership. AAO affirmed awards and published material but found membership unmet due to automatic admission without expert judgment. Only two criteria met; appeal dismissed without final merits analysis.

Horse owner and breeder in dressage and jumping claimed extraordinary ability through awards and published material. The AAO found no major, internationally recognized award, rejected membership criterion as relating to horses not petitioner, and withdrew the published material finding. Dismissed for failing to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.

Mastering engineer in music industry seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed five criteria including awards and scholarly articles. AAO affirmed director's denial, finding petitioner satisfied no evidentiary criteria; Grammy nomination is not prize, published material not from major publications, and contributions to books do not constitute scholarly authorship; lacks evidence of national or international acclaim.

A journalist and brand manager claimed extraordinary ability based on seven criteria. The AAO found three criteria satisfied initially but concluded the petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim and was not among the top percentage in journalism, dismissing the appeal.

A chef claimed extraordinary ability, asserting on appeal that seven criteria were met. The AAO dismissed the appeal after finding that awards, membership, published material and original contributions were not satisfied, and that the record did not show sustained acclaim or a place at the top of the field.

A singer and recording artist claimed extraordinary ability under several criteria. The AAO found three criteria met, including media coverage and judging, but dismissed the appeal because the totality of the evidence, including a Latin Grammy nomination, did not show sustained acclaim or standing among the very top of the field.

A dancer and choreographer who co-founded a dance company self-petitioned for extraordinary ability. She met judging and exhibitions criteria but failed on published material and leading role criteria. The AAO dismissed, finding her regional career insufficient for sustained national acclaim at top field level.

Religious faith writer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed five criteria including awards, publications, and scholarly articles. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner met only one of three required criteria and failed to demonstrate sustained acclaim at the very top of the field.

A software engineer and former startup founder sought extraordinary ability classification on his own behalf, claiming six criteria. The AAO found the leading role and high salary criteria met but rejected awards, published material and original contributions. The evidence did not show sustained acclaim or top-of-field standing, so the appeal was dismissed.

A neuroscientist appealed denial of EB-1A petition. The AAO found three criteria met: published materials, scholarly articles, and leading critical roles. However, the final merits determination failed; peer review participation and publication venues alone did not establish the sustained national or international acclaim and top-tier status required for extraordinary ability.

Retail business consultant sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Director dismissed motion improperly. AAO held Director failed to analyze new evidence of original contributions and did not conduct required two-part review, remanding for reconsideration with full analysis of claimed criteria and final merits determination.

Entrepreneur and founder of luxury automobile club in China claiming extraordinary ability in business. Claimed three criteria on appeal: judging, original contributions, and others already met. AAO dismissed, finding only two criteria met, below the three required, and no sustained international acclaim or top percentile achievement.

Film and television director seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed five criteria including awards, published material, original contributions, critical role, and artistic display. AAO rejected awards and published material as lacking substantiation. Critical role claim failed for insufficient evidence of organizational distinction. Appeal dismissed for failure to meet three required initial criteria.

A writer and consultant in occupational safety and mediation claimed seven criteria for extraordinary ability, later adding two more. The AAO found only judging criterion met and concluded insufficient evidence of the required acclaim for sustained national or international recognition in the field.

A venture capital firm managing partner claimed five EB-1A criteria. The AAO affirmed the director's finding that the petitioner met none of them, finding articles not in major media, contributions not of major significance, and scholarship not established. The decision declined final merits review.

An international tax attorney specializing claimed six criteria but met none. The AAO found his bar association membership, published work, judging, original contributions, scholarly articles, and leading role all unmet. Lacking three criteria and evidence of sustained international acclaim, the petition was dismissed.

A 3D artist and animator in the Philippines sought extraordinary ability classification. He claimed all ten criteria but met only two (judging and high salary). The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding insufficient evidence of the sustained national or international acclaim and career of acclaimed work required for extraordinary ability.

Author and screenwriter seeking EB-1A classification. Claimed awards, published materials in major media, and judging criteria. AAO found 2016 award not nationally recognized, publications lacked major media status, and judging participation insufficiently documented. Appeal dismissed.

Textile embroidery artist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Director found one criterion met; petitioner claimed six additional criteria on appeal. AAO found petitioner met only one criterion and lacked sustained national or international acclaim. Appeal dismissed.

Acrobatic performer and gymnastics coach, formerly with O-1 status, sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner met awards and membership criteria but failed published materials. With only two criteria met and no major award, AAO dismissed, finding no evidence of sustained national or international acclaim.