AAO Decisions Explorer · Free
Published AAO appeal decisions
Search the decisions the Administrative Appeals Office has published, narrow them by visa, criterion, field and year, and read our summary of each one with a link to the official PDF.

Decisions in the library
6,586
6,586 classified
Visa types
3
Years covered
2005-2026
Latest decision
Aug 31, 2026
Filters
6 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- EB-1ALife sciences and medicine2006Dismissed
Research scientist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification in sciences. Claimed awards, membership, published material, judging, original contributions, and scholarly articles. AAO found only scholarly articles criterion met; evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained national acclaim or place among top percentile required for final merits step.
1 of 7 criteria metRead → - EB-1ALife sciences and medicine2006Dismissed
Dermatologist and ophthalmologist researcher claimed extraordinary ability through five criteria including publications and original contributions to treatment innovations. AAO found only one criterion met and held evidence insufficient for sustained acclaim, dismissing petition.
1 of 6 criteria metRead → - EB-1ALife sciences and medicine2006Dismissed
Research associate in environmental science filed for extraordinary ability EB-1A. Claimed awards, membership, publications, judging, scholarly articles, and critical role. AAO found one award met but rejected all other criteria as insufficient evidence of national or international acclaim, dismissing appeal due to failure to satisfy minimum three criteria.
1 of 7 criteria metRead → - EB-1AMechanical and aerospace engineering2006Dismissed
Aerospace engineer claimed extraordinary ability in sciences. Submitted evidence of scholarship award, professional membership, authored works, publications, organizational role, and salary. AAO found petitioner failed to meet three required criteria; scholarship had multiple winners, membership lacked outstanding achievement requirement, scholarly work not documented, salary not shown as high. Appeal dismissed.
0 of 7 criteria metRead → - EB-1AArts, design, architecture2006Dismissed
Fashion designer from China sought EB-1A classification based on achievements during 1990s and after 2000 entry. AAO found petitioner failed to meet three criteria with documentary evidence and lacked sustained acclaim within United States. Appeal dismissed.
0 of 5 criteria metRead → - EB-1ALife sciences and medicine2006Dismissed
Research associate in environmental science filed for EB-1A extraordinary ability, claiming one award and publication record. AAO found one award criterion minimally met but rejected five other criteria as lacking national or international significance. Overall evidence insufficient to establish elite status.
1 of 7 criteria metRead →
