Published AAO appeal decisions

A professional in an unspecified field sought EB-1A classification claiming extraordinary ability. She claimed awards, membership, and judging criteria. The AAO found the awards claim abandoned, membership criterion unsatisfied, and judging criterion met. However, the petitioner failed to meet the final merits requirement of sustained national or international acclaim across all evidence.

Petitioner claimed extraordinary ability. Evidence included articles and photographs from publications. AAO held petitioner failed to establish membership criterion on appeal, and published materials failed regulatory requirements for identification, subject matter, and translation.

A self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in an unspecified field under EB-1A, asserting eight regulatory criteria. The AAO found petitioner met only the judging criterion but failed to satisfy the three-criterion threshold. On final merits, evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.

A violinist claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A across multiple criteria. The AAO affirmed published material criterion but withdrew the exhibitions finding since performing artists do not qualify under that visual arts provision. Petitioner failed to meet the three-criterion threshold for EB-1A eligibility.

A self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A, with director finding two criteria met. The AAO affirmed judging and scholarly articles criteria but found original contributions lacked major significance for the field. Petitioner failed to meet the three-criterion threshold required for EB-1A eligibility.

Self-petitioner mechanical engineer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO affirmed director's finding that petitioner did not meet three-criterion evidentiary threshold; applied Kazarian two-step approach and dismissed appeal.

Self-petitioner sought EB-1A as alien of extraordinary ability. AAO found petitioner knowingly submitted false documents on original contributions criterion and failed to establish three required evidentiary categories; appeal dismissed with finding of willful material misrepresentation.

An actor sought extraordinary ability classification as a self-petitioner. After the director denied the petition, counsel appealed with only a general assertion of eligibility and never filed the promised brief or evidence. The AAO summarily dismissed the appeal because it identified no specific error of law or fact.

Petitioner in an unspecified field filed for extraordinary ability classification. Claimed eight criteria including awards, published material, original contributions, and exhibitions. AAO found petitioner failed to establish lesser nationally or internationally recognized awards, failed to demonstrate major significance of contributions, and was not a visual artist qualifying for exhibitions criterion. Appeal dismissed.

A director/producer/writer/instructor sought EB-1A classification. The AAO upheld denial, finding insufficient qualifying evidence under three regulatory criteria: awards lacked primary documentation, membership did not show association requirement of outstanding achievements, and published materials lacked proper circulation evidence. Overall evidence failed to establish sustained national or international acclaim.

A self-petitioner for EB-1A classification failed. She met the scholarly articles criterion but not published material (reviews alone insufficient), judging (no documentation of formal duties), or original contributions (citations not indicative of major significance). Meeting only one criterion, plus failing the final merits prong, resulted in dismissal.

Neurobiology researcher claiming extraordinary ability; self-petitioner. Failed to meet three required criteria types. AAO concluded evidence does not distinguish petitioner significantly above others in field at national or international level, lacking sustained acclaim.

Physiologist claiming extraordinary ability; self-petitioner. Counsel appealed three criteria on merits; AAO applied Kazarian framework counting evidence types. Petitioner met awards only; membership rejected as incomplete; two other criteria not adequately analyzed. Lacked three required criterion types.

A crop researcher filed an EB-1A petition claiming extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner satisfied only one criterion (judging) when three were required, and did not establish awards, published material about him, or original contributions of major significance.

A DanceSport dancer filed an EB-1A petition claiming extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to establish that his awards met the nationally or internationally recognized standard, and did not satisfy three criteria required for the classification.

Medical consultant in business services. Petitioner claimed membership, publications, original contributions, and critical role. AAO found publications deficient for incomplete documentation, original contributions non-existent and singular, and critical role unsupported by organizational distinction. Appeal dismissed.

Musician and composer. Claimed publications, judging, original contributions, and scholarly articles. AAO found judging criterion met but original contributions unsupported by letter quality and scholarly articles deficient due to single submission. Final merits assessment found insufficient evidence of sustained acclaim or top-tier status. Appeal dismissed.

A scientist in nanotechnology sought extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner met judging criterion but failed original contributions requirement. AAO found expert letters merely repeated petitioner's claimed achievements without demonstrating significant field impact or contributions of major significance as of priority date, dismissing appeal for insufficient evidence.

A young athlete sought EB-1A classification citing a first-place award and other achievements. The AAO affirmed the director's denial, finding the award was limited to youth competitors and lacked international media recognition, failing the major internationally recognized award standard and other criteria.

A conductor sought EB-1A classification claiming a major award and extraordinary ability. The AAO found the petitioner submitted demonstrably false evidence, including fabricated award claims, constituting willful misrepresentation of material fact. The appeal was dismissed based on withdrawal, and a formal finding of material misrepresentation was entered.

A professional claimed three criteria for extraordinary ability. The AAO affirmed that the petitioner met awards and judging criteria but failed the membership criterion and could not satisfy the statutory requirement of at least three types of evidence, thus failing to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.

A geriatric physician self-petitioner claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability. The petitioner established one criterion (judging) but failed on awards and scholarly articles. The AAO affirmed dismissal, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or place among the very top of the field.

A violinist self-petitioner claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability. The petitioner failed on awards, membership, judging, and exhibitions criteria. The AAO affirmed dismissal, finding performances do not qualify under exhibitions criterion and insufficient evidence of extraordinary ability.

An artist self-petitioner claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability. The petitioner failed on published material criterion due to lack of author identification and material being promotional rather than independent coverage. The AAO affirmed dismissal for insufficient criteria met.

A fashion stylist self-petitioner claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability. The petitioner met only the published material criterion but failed on multiple other criteria. The AAO summarily dismissed the appeal for lack of specific arguments, affirming denial.