Published AAO appeal decisions

Research associate self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in sciences. AAO affirmed denial, finding petitioner failed to demonstrate major award or meet three regulatory criteria and lacked sustained acclaim at the very top of field.

Taekwondo competitor and coach self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in athletics. AAO affirmed denial, finding petitioner failed to establish any criterion and lacked sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of his field as competitor or coach.

A martial artist claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability in athletics based on age-group wushu competition wins and Dan rank advancement. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the awards lacked national or international recognition and the evidence did not establish sustained acclaim at the very top of the field.

A petitioner claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability based on competition awards, association lifetime membership, and published materials. The AAO dismissed, finding awards lacked documentation of national or international recognition, membership did not require outstanding achievement, the publication did not relate to his field work, and evidence did not show sustained acclaim.

A research scientist claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability in life sciences based on fellowship, association membership, publications, and guest speaking. The AAO dismissed, finding the fellowship undocumented, membership not based on outstanding achievement, publications routine to the field, no judging role, and insufficient evidence of sustained acclaim.

A scientist in the sciences claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability based on a university award, research grant funding, and association membership. The AAO dismissed, finding the award limited to university Ph.D. candidates and the grant designed for future research rather than recognizing achievement, membership not based on outstanding achievement, and evidence insufficient to show sustained national or international acclaim.

Martial arts competitor and coach petitioner claimed awards from national wushu competitions. AAO found awards reflect competitive success but no coaching credentials or evidence of instructing athletes at national level, insufficient for sustained national or international acclaim.

Former professional tennis player in Venezuela claimed extraordinary ability, citing historical tournament rankings, awards from late 1990s, and intentions to coach. AAO dismissed appeal, finding past awards and rankings insufficiently demonstrate sustained acclaim at time of filing and petitioner presented no evidence of active coaching work.

Self-represented artist seeking extraordinary ability classification failed to respond to director's evidence request despite receiving it at correct address. Director denied petition finding petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained acclaim or meet three of ten criteria. AAO summarily dismissed appeal because petitioner provided no specific challenge to director's findings or additional evidence on appeal.

Ice skating coach and trainer sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found beneficiary lacked sustained national or international acclaim, as competitive athletic achievements ended in 2002 and coaching credentials did not demonstrate top-level status.

Scientist in cell biology claimed extraordinary ability through professional awards and membership in scientific societies. AAO found petitioner did not establish sustained national or international acclaim at the top level, as awards were not nationally recognized and memberships did not require outstanding achievement.

Track and field athlete claimed extraordinary ability based on athletic awards and achievements. AAO found petitioner did not establish sustained national or international acclaim at the top level as of filing date, having failed to satisfy at least three regulatory criteria.

Film scholar claiming extraordinary ability in cinema studies. Petitioner claimed at least three criteria under EB-1A regulations. AAO found awards not nationally recognized, publications not in major media, scholarly articles insufficient for acclaim, and conference presentations lacked evidence of significance. Overall evidence did not demonstrate extraordinary ability.

Hypnotherapist and entertainer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to meet any of the regulatory criteria and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim placing him at the very top of his field.

Researcher in sciences sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding that while withdrawing some director concerns, the petitioner failed to meet at least three regulatory criteria and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of her field.

Martial artist and Tai Chi coach sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner achieved success as a competitor decades earlier but failed to sustain acclaim through subsequent coaching work and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top level.

Scientist with counsel-representation filed petition for EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner submitted evidence of research award, training scholarships, and research funding. AAO dismissed appeal, finding scholarships and funding do not constitute nationally or internationally recognized prizes for excellence.

Microbiologist filed self-petition seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed at least three regulatory criteria including original contributions and scholarly articles. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.

Dance coach and instructor filed self-petition for EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner was a competitive dancer but claimed eligibility based on coaching career. AAO dismissed appeal, holding that lack of sustained national or international acclaim since 2003 and absence of evidence of coaching achievements at the very top level preclude approval.

Petitioner sponsored beneficiary dancer for EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Beneficiary claimed eligibility under awards, published material, and judging criteria. AAO dismissed appeal, holding that old awards lack sustained recognition and no qualifying publications or judging roles were established.

A junior cell biology researcher and faculty member sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming awards, membership, contributions and scholarly articles. The AAO found the contributions and articles criteria carried more weight than the director allowed, but rejected awards and membership. Overall evidence did not show sustained acclaim at the top of the field, so the appeal was dismissed.

The petitioner is a cell biology researcher seeking extraordinary ability classification in the sciences. Several criteria were claimed, many only for the first time on appeal and without support. The AAO dismissed the appeal because no major award or three criteria were shown, and sustained acclaim was not established.

Self-petitioner in sports sought EB-1A extraordinary ability as an alien of extraordinary ability in arts and athletics. Claimed receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards. AAO found evidence insufficient to establish sustained acclaim or position at very top of field; appeal dismissed.

Self-petitioner in sports sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed receipt of lesser awards and association membership. AAO found petitioner failed to meet criteria and provided insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or intent to continue in field.

Self-represented athlete with multiple claimed fields (running, wrestling) sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found no established primary field of endeavor, no documented prizes, and no evidence of sustained acclaim or critical role in any field.