Published AAO appeal decisions

Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO affirmed denial because petitioner failed to meet major award criterion and could not satisfy three initial criteria. Tournament awards in Master division lack sufficient context and do not demonstrate excellence. No final merits analysis reached.

Long-distance runner sought EB-1A classification claiming extraordinary ability. AAO dismissed appeal finding one criterion met but aggregate evidence insufficient; runner did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or position among small percentage at field top.

Downhill longboard athlete from Argentina sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO held petitioner met only one of five claimed evidentiary criteria. Lacking sustained national or international acclaim and recent competitive record, petitioner fails final merits step.

Martial arts entrepreneur and instructor sought NIW for business and training enterprise. AAO held substantial merit was met but national importance was not; no evidence of field or economy impact beyond direct clients, and business projections lacked adequate evidentiary support.

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete seeks EB-1A classification for extraordinary ability. Though three criteria were met (awards, judging, exhibitions), the AAO found the totality of evidence does not establish sustained national or international acclaim or place among the very top of the field.

A martial arts instructor claimed three EB-1A criteria: association membership, published material, and leading roles. The AAO found membership did not satisfy regulatory requirements, and with only three criteria claimed, failure of one prevented reaching the minimum threshold. Appeal dismissed without final merits analysis.

Commercial pilot sought EB-2 classification as individual of exceptional ability and NIW. Director found petitioner met four of six exceptional ability criteria; AAO found actual membership in professional associations not established and training certificates showed completion, not exceptional expertise. Appeal dismissed on both exceptional ability and NIW grounds.

Jiu-jitsu athlete seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met lesser awards criterion but failed to establish three alternate regulatory criteria. Publications did not meet major media standard; training program lacked evidence of broader impact or major significance. Dismissed for insufficient criteria.

Airline pilot sought EB-2 as individual of exceptional ability with national interest waiver. AAO found petitioner met four of six initial criteria but dismissed appeal on final merits, concluding evidence did not establish degree of expertise significantly above ordinarily encountered in field.

A pole fitness performer claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A, meeting awards criterion initially but failing at final merits. The AAO withdrew the awards finding, determining competitions lacked national recognition and that the performer failed to demonstrate sustained acclaim or placement among the very top in her field.

Aquatic coach and instructor claiming EB-1A extraordinary ability in athletics. AAO affirmed denial, finding applicant failed to satisfy three required alternate criteria and lacks sustained national or international acclaim demonstrating extraordinary ability among the very top of field.

Physical fitness specialist and entrepreneur sought NIW for EB-2 classification. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance despite substantial merit; benefits limited to client base without broader impact on physical fitness field or obesity prevention at national level.

Fitness trainer and amateur bodybuilder sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO affirmed director's finding that petitioner met no evidentiary criteria and lacked sustained national or international acclaim required for top percentile designation.

A security manager and fitness trainer claiming EB-1A extraordinary ability satisfied only one criterion (judging); failed to establish three or more required. AAO dismissed, finding insufficient evidence of national or international acclaim.

A triathlete seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner satisfied only two of ten required evidentiary criteria: published materials and awards. She did not establish membership in elite associations or critical roles, and failed to demonstrate sustained national acclaim placing her in the small percentage at the very top of triathlon.

Entrepreneur and jiu-jitsu instructor sought NIW as exceptional ability professional. AAO found petitioner met only two of six exceptional ability criteria, failing underlying EB-2 qualification. Because ineligible for EB-2, NIW analysis not reached. Appeal dismissed.

A Colombian pilot claimed exceptional ability under EB-2 and a national interest waiver. The AAO withdrew the Director's finding that he met the licensing and professional association criteria, and found his overall expertise did not exceed ordinary pilot competency. The waiver claim was not addressed.

A taekwondo instructor and athlete sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found he met the judging criterion but not the awards or membership criteria, and overall did not demonstrate the sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Commercial pilot sought EB-2 with national interest waiver. AAO held petitioner lacked requisite advanced degree or bachelor's degree equivalent and failed to demonstrate national importance of proposed work as pilot and instructor, lacking evidence of industry-wide impact.

A water polo coach sought EB-2 NIW to establish a water polo club in Georgia. The AAO found the endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance because projected employment of one coach and modest revenue did not demonstrate significant economic impact or broader field implications.

An MMA lightweight fighter sought EB-1A classification claiming a major international award and multiple alternate criteria. The AAO found the petitioner met published material and high salary criteria but lacked the major international award and failed to establish sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

A dogsledding competitor claimed three EB-1A criteria. The AAO affirmed the director's finding that she lacks a major, internationally recognized award and failed to satisfy three criteria despite meeting two (awards and leading role). The totality lacked evidence of sustained acclaim at the very top of the field.

A soccer director seeking EB-2 with NIW to establish a youth and community development organization. Claimed her endeavor had substantial merit and national importance. AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed endeavor lacked demonstrated national importance; its positive economic effects were not commensurate with national-level significance.

A Taekwon-Do athlete from Kyrgyzstan seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed because the petitioner did not establish a major award or meet three evidentiary criteria; the judging and published material criteria were not satisfied, and the overall record lacks evidence of sustained national or international acclaim.

An entrepreneur and swim instructor sought EB-2 national interest waiver claiming exceptional ability. The AAO found the petitioner met only one of six required exceptional ability criteria. Without establishing EB-2 eligibility, the AAO dismissed the appeal and reserved the Dhanasar prongs without discussion.