Published AAO appeal decisions

Video editor sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed because petitioner met only one criterion (exhibitions); two withdrawn on review (judging, high salary lack proper evidence). Failed to meet three-criterion threshold and demonstrated no sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

A combat zone camera operator seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed because although petitioner meets three initial evidentiary criteria, the overall record lacks evidence of sustained national or international acclaim; one film festival appearance and three television interviews over 14 years do not demonstrate the career of acclaimed work required.

Filmmaker with thirty years experience claimed extraordinary ability through awards, membership, published material, and exhibitions. AAO affirmed awards and membership were not met, published material insufficient, and exhibitions alone do not establish sustained national or international acclaim required.

Choreographer seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification in arts. Petitioner submitted evidence of exhibitions and claimed six additional criteria. AAO found only exhibitions criterion met; awards, membership, published material, and original contributions not established; appeal dismissed.

Fashion model with O-1 nonimmigrant status sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal, finding she satisfied only one of ten initial evidentiary criteria; comparable evidence argument without demonstrating inapplicability of specific criteria was rejected; insufficient proof of sustained acclaim.

Self-petitioner film director and producer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found only one of six required criteria met. Evidence of awards, original contributions, exhibitions, and critical roles was insufficient or unsupported. Record lacks evidence of sustained national or international acclaim required for the classification.

Argentine theater and television actor sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed six criteria; AAO found he met published materials and exhibitions but not three total required. Record lacked evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier field status.

Theatrical producer seeking EB-1A classification. Met four of ten initial criteria (published material, display, leading role, commercial success) but failed final merits analysis. Director's decision lacked thorough evaluation of all evidence and did not adequately explain why achievements failed to demonstrate small percentage at field top. Remanded for complete final merits analysis.

A bassoonist claiming EB-1A extraordinary ability satisfied two of ten evidentiary criteria: judging and artistic exhibitions. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to demonstrate a third required criterion and lacked evidence of sustained national or international acclaim necessary for extraordinary ability classification.

Recording engineer and producer from Brazil claiming seven evidentiary criteria for EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO found only published material criterion met, not the required three. Record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement at very top of field despite successful work with well-known artists.

Armenian pop and folk musician sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO affirmed dismissal, finding petitioner met only two of ten criteria (awards and artistic display) but needed three, and did not demonstrate sustained national acclaim or place at top of field.

A film and media editor sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Though he met only one criterion (exhibitions), the AAO rejected awards and leading role findings due to insufficient documentation. He failed to meet the three-criterion threshold and lacked evidence of sustained national or international acclaim.

Filmmaker with MFA in film directing sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met only one criterion (film festival screenings). AAO affirmed denial: petitioner did not establish three required criteria and failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or position among very top of field.

Musician and music group leader seeking extraordinary ability classification. Claimed three additional criteria beyond two met by director. AAO found published material and artistic display criteria satisfied but rejected awards and original contributions claims. Final merits determination found petitioner progressing toward top but lacking sustained acclaim required for classification.

Film, commercial, and music video producer and founding executive of production company seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner met three evidentiary criteria. AAO affirmed denial on final merits, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or position at the very top of the field.

Theater actress with over a decade of experience sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met three evidentiary criteria: published material, judging experience, and artistic exhibition participation. AAO affirmed denial on final merits, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier field status.

An actor seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. She claimed six criteria including awards, published material, judging, and exhibitions. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding three criteria met and, on final merits, determining her decades-long award-winning career with consistent media coverage establishes sustained national acclaim at the top of her field.

Film actress sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed awards, published media, exhibitions, critical roles, and commercial success. AAO found only two criteria met and rejected others; determined petitioner lacks sustained acclaim and does not rank among the very top of the field.

Director of photography sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner worked on award-winning films screened at festivals and held O-1 nonimmigrant status. AAO found criterion regarding artistic exhibitions satisfied but rejected claims regarding awards as petitioner lacked personal receipt of nationally recognized prizes, and found overall evidence insufficient for extraordinary ability.

Independent filmmaker from Zimbabwe seeking extraordinary ability classification. Met four initial evidentiary criteria: awards, published material, judging, and artistic display. AAO dismissed on final merits, finding petitioner respected domestically but lacking sustained national or international acclaim and not at very top of field required for classification.

Director of photography and cinematographer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner met three evidentiary criteria through awards, published material, and exhibitions. AAO found sustained national and international acclaim, consistent industry recognition since 2008, and achievements reflecting career of acclaimed work among small percentage at field's top.

A singer claimed extraordinary ability through seven criteria: awards, published material, judging, original contributions, displays, and two unspecified criteria. She met judging and display criteria but fell short of the required three minimum. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of her field.

A professional violist sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming four evidentiary criteria. The service center accepted two, and on appeal he argued only an additional awards criterion. The AAO found the prize lacked shown recognition, so three criteria were not met, and it advised the aggregate record also showed insufficient acclaim.

A violinist who performed with ensembles and orchestras sought extraordinary ability classification. The Director accepted only the display criterion, and the petitioner claimed additional criteria on appeal. The AAO dismissed the appeal because awards and published material were not established, leaving fewer than three criteria and no showing of sustained acclaim.

Collaborative pianist enrolled in doctoral program claims EB-1A extraordinary ability. Director found two criteria met; petitioner appealed claiming two additional criteria. AAO rejected both new claims. With only two criteria met, petitioner failed initial evidence requirement. Appeal dismissed.