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
5 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- EB-1ACivil and environmental engineeringFeb 2026Dismissed
A construction manager in transportation infrastructure sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. He claimed to meet judging, high salary, and leading role criteria. AAO found judging criterion met and remanded salary criterion analysis, but concluded he failed to demonstrate the three required criteria and thus lacked extraordinary ability.
1 of 4 criteria metRead → - EB-1ACivil and environmental engineeringMay 2025Dismissed
A civil engineer self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability claiming five criteria. The AAO affirmed that only two criteria were met and dismissed because petitioner failed to demonstrate the extraordinary ability standard requiring sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.
2 of 7 criteria metRead → - EB-1ACivil and environmental engineeringNov 2024Dismissed
A civil engineer sought extraordinary ability classification, initially claiming seven criteria. The director found two satisfied. The AAO withdrew the published material finding, rejected membership, original contributions and high salary, treated other criteria as waived, and dismissed because fewer than three criteria were met and acclaim was not shown.
1 of 7 criteria metRead → - EB-1ACivil and environmental engineering2019Dismissed
Strategic port planner with 25 years maritime experience seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability. Met leading role and high salary criteria but failed membership requirement. Dismissed because only two of three required criteria satisfied; final merits determination not conducted.
2 of 6 criteria metRead → - EB-1ACivil and environmental engineering2018Dismissed
Civil engineer in petroleum industry claimed extraordinary ability through five criteria including original contributions, scholarly articles, high salary, and commercial success. Director found two criteria met; AAO affirmed only judging and leading role criteria. Rejected original contributions, scholarly articles, and high salary for insufficient evidence. Appeal dismissed.
2 of 7 criteria metRead →
