Published AAO appeal decisions

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 seeking extraordinary ability classification claimed six criteria. Director found published material and leading role criteria met; petitioner did not challenge denial of awards, membership, original contributions, and high salary criteria. AAO affirmed that petitioner failed to meet three criteria and that totality of evidence does not demonstrate sustained acclaim or top-of-field status.

Digital artist in surrealist photomontage sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found one criterion met and one newly met on appeal but concluded the overall record failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier status required for the classification.

Research scientist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability in sciences. Director found two criteria met: judging and scholarly articles. AAO rejected awards claim because Chinese government awards lack established national recognition and rejected membership and leading role claims. Only two of three required criteria met.

Pomegranate industry business executive sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO held petitioner failed to meet three of ten initial criteria; television appearances lacked sufficient documentation; evidence did not establish sustained national or international acclaim required for classification.

Research scientist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. She claimed multiple criteria including scholarly articles and judging. AAO found she met only two of ten required criteria (scholarly articles and judging), falling short of three-criterion threshold. Final merits analysis confirmed insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim at top of field.

An omakase chef sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found the petitioner met two initial criteria but failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim; Michelin recognition was local, not national, and did not establish extraordinary ability among the very top.

A board-certified gastroenterologist with 22 years of experience sought extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found he met only two of ten criteria. The appeal was dismissed because he failed to meet the three-criterion threshold required for initial eligibility.

A jeweler self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A, asserting four criteria including awards, membership, published material, and scholarly articles. The AAO upheld the service center's denial, finding no criterion met due to insufficient evidence of national or international recognition and lack of authentic documentation of the petitioner's extraordinary status.

A chemistry professor seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed satisfaction of multiple criteria including original contributions (criterion v) and two others (iv, vi). AAO affirmed director's finding that original contributions did not demonstrate major significance and that petitioner failed to meet three criteria required. Appeal dismissed; record does not support extraordinary ability standard.

A screenwriter, director and producer sought extraordinary ability classification. The service center accepted that three initial criteria were satisfied but found no sustained acclaim. The appeal was dismissed because the final merits review showed only one dated award and shared project success, without individual recognition at the very top of the field.

A coffee shop entrepreneur sought EB-1A classification. The AAO affirmed the director's finding that the petitioner did not meet the awards criterion and concluded the remaining claimed criteria were not established. The record showed local success but no evidence of extraordinary ability at the national or international level.

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.

Employer petitioned for materials science researcher seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO agreed the beneficiary met three initial criteria but dismissed the appeal, finding the final merits analysis showed insufficient sustained national or international acclaim and that the record relied on speculative future accomplishments rather than established current acclaim.

A video game production company sought EB-1A classification for an environment concept art lead. The petitioner claimed five criteria on appeal. The AAO found only the critical role criterion met. Insufficient evidence of three required criteria led the AAO to dismiss the appeal.

Pharmaceutical microbiology production manager seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner did not meet initial evidence requirements; failed to establish three alternate criteria. Awards lacked documented recognition for field excellence; published material insufficient; no sustained national or international acclaim demonstrated.

An architect-type professional sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming eight of the ten evidentiary criteria. The AAO agreed with the Director that the claimed awards, membership, published material and original contributions criteria were not satisfied, so the three-criterion threshold was not met and the appeal was dismissed.

Musician and vocal artist with recent bachelor's degree sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner met at least three criteria but failed final merits determination; record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among small percentage at top of field.

Speculative designer claimed seven extraordinary ability criteria. AAO affirmed dismissal, finding only two criteria met (scholarly articles and artistic display). Award lacked international recognition documentation, article published in non-major media, and leading role was contract work lacking organizational distinction. Overall evidence did not establish upper-echelon status.

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.

Music producer and director in Christian music specializing in organizing and producing concerts. Claimed three evidentiary criteria. AAO held petitioner meets none: award lacks national recognition, original contributions lack major significance in music production field broadly, and video views do not constitute recognized commercial success evidence. Overall record lacks sustained acclaim.

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.

A musician and trumpet player sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed five evidentiary criteria; AAO found two met (awards, exhibitions) and three not met (published material, membership, leading role). AAO concluded petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field, dismissing the appeal.

A singer self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability, claiming five criteria. The AAO dismissed, finding he met none: awards lacked national recognition, membership not established, published material insufficient and post-dated filing, and judging and contributions claims waived. Overall evidence insufficient for sustained national acclaim.