Published AAO appeal decisions

Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete and coach claimed four criteria on appeal. Service center found no criteria met. AAO confirmed petitioner failed to establish three required criteria. Evidence of awards, publications, and leadership roles insufficient. Petitioner does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.

Fencing club petitions for fencing master's O-1A extraordinary ability. AAO found only one of eight criteria met. Awards criterion failed because evidence showed students' achievements, not beneficiary's own. Judging criterion failed due to uncorroborated self-serving assertions. Appeal dismissed.

Karate coach seeking extraordinary ability classification. Prior appeal found two criteria met; matter reopened. Petitioner claimed seven additional criteria, but AAO found award certificates do not qualify and lack national recognition. Even with two prior criteria met, final merits analysis shows insufficient acclaim for top-level status in field.

Helicopter pilot self-petitioner claimed six criteria for EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO found three criteria met: awards, published material, and leading critical role. However, AAO denied the petition because evidence spanning only 2018–2024 does not establish sustained acclaim or placement among the very top of the field.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete and instructor with 40 years in the field claims extraordinary ability. Met two evidentiary criteria but failed to establish three required criteria: awards lack national recognition, leading role lacks distinguished organization evidence, and salary evidence insufficient. Appeal dismissed.

Ukrainian soccer coach claimed extraordinary ability and met three initial evidentiary criteria. AAO affirmed that the evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or that petitioner ranks among the very top in the field despite media coverage and training method adoption.

Pole fitness performer self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability. Motions to reopen and reconsider challenged award recognition finding. AAO affirmed that pole fitness awards lack national or international recognition and that new evidence did not address insufficiencies; dismissed motions.

A parachuting athlete claimed extraordinary ability based on professional recognition over 15 years. The AAO confirmed he met three evidentiary criteria but dismissed the appeal because the evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim consistent with the top percentage of his field.

Professional baseball player seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Although petitioner satisfied four initial evidentiary criteria, final merits analysis found insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim among small percentage at very top of field. Major League selection alone does not establish extraordinary ability.

Fitness trainer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met two of ten regulatory criteria: published material and leading critical role. Claimed membership, original contributions, scholarly articles, and commercial success but AAO found none satisfied. Without three criteria met, final merits analysis not reached.

Squash coach who competed as junior player claimed four evidentiary criteria on appeal. AAO found only membership and critical role met, with one criterion established on appeal. Final merits determination found insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or status among very top of field.

A professional soccer player sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming five criteria. The AAO found awards and published material met, rejected original contributions and high salary, and sustained leading role. With three criteria satisfied, the case was remanded for a final merits analysis of sustained national or international acclaim.

A dog sled racer sought extraordinary ability classification based on multiple World Cup medals claimed as top prizes in her field. The AAO rejected the motion to reconsider, holding that World Cup medals lack sufficient public recognition beyond the sport's governing body to constitute major internationally recognized awards.

A water polo player claimed four EB-1A criteria but satisfied only one. AAO affirmed dismissal, finding no major award, insufficient criteria met, and no evidence of the extraordinary sustained acclaim required for EB-1A classification at the sport's highest level.

Martial artist from Uzbekistan seeks extraordinary ability classification. Met four initial criteria but dismissed on final merits. Documented achievements only through 2018; gap of years without evidence of sustained national or international acclaim through filing date.

Professional soccer player seeking EB-1A as intending soccer coach. AAO dismissed appeal, finding only two of six claimed criteria met. Petitioner lacked coaching evidence and sustained acclaim in new field; transition from athlete to coach does not satisfy extraordinary ability standard for small percentage at field's top.

A karate coach claimed extraordinary ability and sought to open karate schools in the United States. The AAO confirmed he met two criteria—judging and leading role—but dismissed because he failed to meet the minimum three-criterion threshold required for final merits consideration.

A hockey athlete and coach appealed denial of EB-1A petition. The AAO withdrew SCOPS's decision that petitioner failed the judging criterion, finding evidence that she served as head referee. With three criteria met, the AAO remanded for SCOPS to conduct final merits analysis of sustained acclaim and top percentage standing.

A basketball player self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found he neither received a major internationally recognized award nor met three of ten evidentiary criteria. Dismissal affirmed because petitioner failed to demonstrate the sustained national or international acclaim required for EB-1A classification.

Mixed martial arts competitor claimed four criteria for extraordinary ability but satisfied only published material. Failed to meet three-criterion threshold. AAO held insufficient evidence of major awards, qualifying memberships, or judging participation, and that aggregate record does not demonstrate sustained acclaim or top-tier status required.

Professional snooker and pool player self-petitioner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO affirmed Service Center denial, finding only one of three claimed criteria met; helping establish snooker academy in Pakistan lacked national or international scope for major significance.

An athlete, referee and coach in horseback archery and polo seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found she met one evidentiary criterion and demonstrated substantial U.S. benefit but failed to satisfy the minimum three required criteria, so dismissed appeal.

Martial arts athlete and coach seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal after finding petitioner met four initial criteria but lacked evidence of sustained acclaim at field top; competitive participation ended around 2017 and coaching credentials were underdeveloped.

A speed skater claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A, asserting awards, membership, published material, and exhibitions criteria. The AAO found awards lacked sufficient detail about competition standards and membership criteria were insufficiently documented, failing to meet the required three-criterion threshold. Appeal dismissed.