Published AAO appeal decisions

Self-petitioner computational research scientist sought EB-1A classification in sciences. AAO found awards, judging, and original contributions criteria not met. Published material and membership claims abandoned or not analyzed. Petitioner failed three-criterion threshold; appeal dismissed.

A martial artist petitioner sought EB-1A classification. He claimed five criteria but submitted incomplete evidence: award certificates lacked certified translations, published materials were not about him or lacked required information. The AAO found he met none of three required criteria and dismissed the appeal.

A foreign language instructor seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification in education. He claimed six of ten regulatory criteria were met. The AAO found awards, published material, and judging criteria unmet under the plain language requirements and comparable evidence rules. The petition was dismissed because the petitioner failed to establish the requisite level of sustained acclaim.

Self-petitioner athletic coach sought EB-1A classification in coaching field. AAO found awards, membership, and published material criteria failed because evidence related to swimmer athlete status, not coaching excellence. Petitioner did not meet three-criterion threshold; appeal dismissed.

Self-petitioner anthropologist sought EB-1A classification claiming awards, publications, original contributions, exhibitions, and leading role. Most criteria raised for first time on appeal without clear connection to anthropology field. Petitioner failed three-criterion threshold; appeal dismissed.

The beneficiary is a head squash coach for whom O-1A classification in athletics was sought. Claims covered awards, membership, and other criteria tied to coaching roles. The AAO dismissed the appeal because three criteria were not established and the aggregate evidence did not show sustained acclaim or top-of-field standing.

Petitioner claimed extraordinary ability based on lesser nationally or internationally recognized awards including a Telly Award. AAO found no independent objective evidence establishing awards as nationally or internationally recognized for excellence. Petitioner failed to satisfy three-criteria threshold and did not demonstrate required level of expertise. Appeal dismissed.

A writer, motivational speaker, and magician sought extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed awards and membership but failed to meet initial evidence requirement of one-time major award or at least three of ten criteria. AAO found no nationally or internationally recognized award for excellence and petitioner abandoned membership claim, dismissing appeal for lack of qualifying evidence.

A wine expert and enologist self-petitioner sought extraordinary ability classification. The director revoked approval, finding the petitioner did not meet any regulatory criteria and willfully misrepresented material facts regarding awards, article authorship, and salary. The AAO sustained dismissal and affirmed willful misrepresentation finding.

Martial arts academy petitioned for taekwondo instructor under O-1A. Director found beneficiary lacks sustained national or international acclaim and failed at least three of eight evidentiary criteria. AAO dismissed, holding beneficiary is skilled athlete but did not establish extraordinary ability as coach.

Self-petitioner, luthier, sought EB-1A classification claiming awards and other criteria. AAO dismissed appeal, finding awards lacked national or international recognition, selection criteria were unclear, and petitioner failed to meet the minimum three-criteria threshold for extraordinary ability.

A competitive runner self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability through awards, team membership and judging. The AAO sustained appeal finding three criteria met: nationally and internationally recognized medals, national team membership, and judging evidence. Aggregate evidence demonstrated sustained acclaim and placement among small percentage at field top.

Gymnastics club petitioned for O-1A visa for foreign gymnastics coach. AAO held beneficiary lacked major internationally recognized award and failed to satisfy at least three evidentiary criteria; prior athletic acclaim insufficient without demonstrating sustained coaching-level extraordinary ability.

Boxing and fitness facility petitioned for professional boxer under O-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found beneficiary did not satisfy initial evidentiary requirements, meeting none of eight regulatory criteria; evidence showed skill but not sustained national or international acclaim required for O-1A.

A fashion journalist sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming at least three regulatory criteria. The appeals office dismissed the appeal because inconsistencies about the awards and published articles were not resolved by independent evidence, leaving the remaining documents unreliable. It also made a finding of willful material misrepresentation based on fabricated documentation.

A mountain climber sought EB-1A classification based on a first place award in a climbing competition and association membership. The AAO found the award lacked evidence of national or international recognition and membership was registration only, not membership requiring outstanding achievements.

A professional bodybuilder did not meet the initial evidence requirements for O-1A classification. The petitioner satisfied only two of eight criteria and failed to establish the requisite sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.

Rural sociology Ph.D. holder claiming extraordinary ability in creativity studies. Raised awards criterion for first time on appeal asserting conference recognition, organizational appointment, and book adoption. None established as qualifying nationally or internationally recognized prizes. Appeal dismissed.

Self-petitioner in unspecified sciences field claimed extraordinary ability through awards, published material, judging, and original contributions. AAO upheld denial, finding petitioner failed to meet initial evidence threshold of three criteria. No qualifying evidence submitted under any criterion.

A violinist and instructor sought EB-1A classification claiming five criteria. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding insufficient evidence of awards and that the other claimed criteria did not meet plain language requirements. Evidence in aggregate failed to demonstrate extraordinary ability.

Chess player claimed extraordinary ability through awards, published material, judging, and leading role. AAO found only awards criterion met. Published material lacked national reach, judging and role criteria unsupported. Initial threshold of three criteria not satisfied.

Singer applying for O-1A visa. Petitioner claimed eligibility under seven criteria but satisfied none of three required. Award received while student not shown open to professionals; wage comparable to average levels in market. Petition fails initial evidentiary threshold. Appeal dismissed.