AAO Decisions Explorer · Free
Published AAO appeal decisions
Search the decisions the Administrative Appeals Office has published, narrow them by visa, criterion, field and year, and read our summary of each one with a link to the official PDF.

Decisions in the library
6,586
6,586 classified
Visa types
3
Years covered
2005-2026
Latest decision
Aug 31, 2026
Filters
8 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- EB-1AArts, design, architecture2006Dismissed
An artist sought extraordinary ability based on awards, board membership, published material, and exhibitions. The AAO found fraudulent submissions of three articles and that remaining evidence failed to meet three criteria. Appeal dismissed with fraud finding.
0 of 5 criteria metRead → - EB-1AArts, design, architecture2006Dismissed
Self-represented artist claimed extraordinary ability through awards, membership, publications, and exhibitions. The AAO found awards were local or provincial, publications insufficient, and exhibitions not at significant venues. Petition dismissed with fraud finding for misrepresenting another individual's achievements.
0 of 5 criteria metRead → - EB-1AArts, design, architecture2006Dismissed
Self-petitioner artist sought EB-1A classification based on Chinese awards, association membership, and artwork exhibitions. AAO found awards local not international, membership not contingent on achievement, exhibitions unsubstantiated, and compensation unexceptional.
0 of 5 criteria metRead → - EB-1AArts, design, architecture2006Dismissed
Artist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed awards and exhibitions. AAO found awards local rather than national or international, with sustained absence in recent years; no evidence of display at significant venues or exclusive exhibition participation. Petition also dismissed due to fraud finding regarding misrepresented biographical information.
0 of 3 criteria metRead → - EB-1AArts, design, architecture2006Dismissed
A self-represented artist sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming awards, membership, published material, exhibitions, a leading role and high salary. The AAO dismissed the appeal because no major award or three criteria were shown, and also found no evidence of intent to continue working in the United States.
0 of 6 criteria metRead → - EB-1AArts, design, architecture2006Dismissed
Self-represented artist claims extraordinary ability through awards, membership, exhibitions, and salary. AAO found awards provincial only, membership inadequate, exhibitions insufficient, and salary unexceptional. Record did not demonstrate sustained acclaim or top-tier status since entering United States in 1999.
0 of 5 criteria metRead → - EB-1AArts, design, architecture2006Dismissed
Self-represented Georgian folk music performer and teacher claims extraordinary ability but failed to specify which criteria met. AAO found no awards evidence, inadequate published material, insufficient judging, weak original contributions, no exclusive exhibitions, unexceptional salary, and no commercial success documentation. Overall evidence showed talent but not sustained top-tier acclaim.
0 of 8 criteria metRead → - EB-1AArts, design, architecture2006Dismissed
Creative concept advertising artist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed original contributions and exhibition achievements through client work and student shows. AAO found client endorsements vague, work not properly credited in artistic venues, and evidence insufficient to demonstrate top-level field standing.
0 of 3 criteria metRead →
