Published AAO appeal decisions

A business executive in China sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. She claimed six criteria and the AAO found three met. However, the decision rejected the final merits determination, holding she lacked sustained national or international acclaim and was not among the small percentage at the top of her field, though she held a high-ranking corporate position.

Acrobatic gymnastics performer and circus artist sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed, finding bronze medal at World Games does not qualify as major internationally recognized award, and only two of ten alternate criteria satisfied, insufficient for classification as individual of extraordinary ability.

Business executive in engineering innovations and industrial sales seeks EB-1A. Claimed to meet awards, published material, and judging criteria. AAO found certificate issued to employer not petitioner, advertisement about product not petitioner, and insufficient evidence of judging peers. Appeal dismissed.

Civil engineering researcher seeking EB-1A classification for extraordinary ability. Petitioner met three evidentiary criteria: judging, original contributions, and scholarly articles. AAO dismissed appeal because evidence failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or position among the very top of the field as required for extraordinary ability.

A rhetorical linguist with a Ph.D. seeking EB-1A classification claimed four criteria. The AAO found she met two (judging and scholarly articles) but not three required. The appeal was dismissed because her accomplishments do not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or place her among the small percentage at the very top of her field.

Illustrator and art director. Claimed extraordinary ability via awards, published material, judging, original contributions, exhibitions, and leading role. AAO found two criteria met but lacked evidence of sustained acclaim or top small percentage placement, dismissing appeal.

Weightlifter claimed extraordinary ability based on world championship medals, team membership, published material about his work, original contributions, and high salary. AAO found he met awards and membership criteria but failed published material and original contributions. Did not reach final merits analysis because fewer than three criteria satisfied.

Administrative services manager seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability. Filed motion to reopen and reconsider after initial denial. AAO dismissed appeal on procedural grounds: previously-submitted certificates were not new evidence, and motion to reconsider lacked proper legal or factual support.

A newspaper petitioned for a graphics and multimedia editor as extraordinary ability alien. Beneficiary claimed awards, published material, original contributions, leading role, and high salary. AAO dismissed, finding no major award and only two criteria met, but three required; work shows team contribution, not individual sustained acclaim at field's top.

A film director and producer claimed four criteria for extraordinary ability. The AAO found only scholarly articles met; awards, original contributions, and leading critical role failed due to insufficient evidence of personal achievement or significant field impact. With one criterion met, appeal dismissed.

Swimmer met three initial evidentiary criteria: awards, membership, and published material. However, on final merits analysis, AAO found petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim, failed to document complete competition record, showed no recent major achievements, and does not rank among small percentage at field's very top.

A business analyst employed as a director sought EB-1A classification. He claimed five criteria, meeting three initially. The AAO found the judging criterion met but the original contributions criterion not met. On final merits, the AAO held the evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field.

An orthopedic surgeon seeking extraordinary ability classification as scientific advisor met only one of required three criteria through judging. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner did not establish high salary comparatives or critical role at a distinguished institution, and failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.

A fashion model claims extraordinary ability. She met only the judging criterion but failed awards, published material, original contributions, exhibitions, and leading role criteria. She lacked documentation for commercial success. With only one criterion met, she falls short of the three required.

Martial artist competing in international events sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed six criteria but satisfied none. The AAO found awards lacked national or international recognition, membership not based on expert judgment, published material insufficient, and judging role not demonstrated. Two additional criteria were not reached because the petitioner failed the initial three-criterion requirement.

A violinist claimed five criteria: judging and exhibitions met; awards, scholarly articles, and leading role rejected or unmet. Only two of three required criteria established. AAO dismissed appeal, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim.

Martial artist serving as regional federation officer claimed awards, published material, judging, and leading role. The AAO found awards lacked national recognition, media sources were not major publications, service as referee did not constitute judging, and did not reach the leading role claim. Appeal dismissed.

A Turkish filmmaker claimed extraordinary ability through six criteria. Director found three met: awards, judging, and exhibitions. AAO affirmed three criteria were met but found the totality of evidence insufficient for sustained international acclaim and top-of-field status required by statute.

Pediatric intensivist in Saudi Arabia sought extraordinary ability classification. Met two criteria (judging, scholarly articles). Awards were institutional only; original contributions lacked evidence of major field significance. Appeal dismissed as fewer than three criteria satisfied.

Dance instructor and choreographer seeks EB-1A classification claiming five criteria. AAO found she met judging and exhibitions criteria but not awards or leading role criteria. Evidence did not show sustained national or international acclaim or position among the very top of the field, so appeal dismissed.

University professor and jurist self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in education. AAO reversed Director's findings on awards and judging, finding only scholarly articles criterion met. Since fewer than three criteria were satisfied, AAO dismissed appeal without reaching final merits determination.

Singer self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in performing arts. AAO found petitioner did not meet any three required initial criteria: awards lacked verifiable national or international recognition, association membership did not require outstanding achievements, and published material in Albanian outlets did not demonstrate substantial recognition.

A photographer seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification claimed four criteria: published material, media coverage, original contributions, and exhibitions. The AAO found only exhibitions established and rejected the others for lack of major significance, insufficient publication credentials, and absence of evidence showing sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top.