Published AAO appeal decisions

Executive Vice President and film/television producer seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability. Met three criteria: published materials, leading critical role, and high salary. AAO dismissed appeal, finding the totality of evidence does not establish sustained national or international acclaim and top echelon field status required for extraordinary ability.

Multilingual voice-over artist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Met awards criterion only. Failed published material, critical role, and high salary criteria. Insufficient evidence of three required criteria or sustained acclaim. Appeal dismissed.

A music agent petitioned for a jazz pianist under the O-1 category for extraordinary ability in the arts. The director denied the petition, finding none of four claimed criteria met. The appeal was dismissed because the evidence did not satisfy three of six criteria. This is an arts case, outside O-1A.

Operetta performer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification in arts. Petitioner met three initial evidentiary criteria (judging, exhibitions, published material) but failed final merits determination. AAO found petitioner talented but not demonstrating sustained acclaim or top-tier status required for extraordinary ability.

Film director and screenwriter appealed EB-1A denial. Met only one of ten criteria (judging). AAO reversed director's favorable finding on awards and rejected claims of published material, original contributions, and high salary due to insufficient documentation and specificity.

An actor and voice-acting instructor sought EB-1A classification. The AAO found he met the awards and exhibitions criteria but failed the salary, critical role, and original contributions criteria. With only two of three required criteria satisfied, the appeal was dismissed.

Dancer and choreographer sought extraordinary ability classification. Claimed six criteria but met only one. Decision held that nominating is not receiving an award, performances lack field impact, and background dancer role lacks responsibility for organizational success or commercial outcomes.

An entertainer petitioner claimed extraordinary ability through awards, published material, and other criteria. The AAO found only high salary criterion met. Because at least three criteria must be satisfied, and only one was established, the petition failed to meet basic eligibility requirements. Appeal dismissed.

Employer-sponsored petition for performing artist seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner met only one criterion. The AAO affirmed denial, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim and failure to meet the threshold of three evidentiary categories required for final merits determination.

Self-represented musical drama performer claimed extraordinary ability under membership, high salary, and commercial success criteria. AAO found no criterion satisfied: membership criterion inappropriate for performing artists, no comparative salary evidence, and photographs do not demonstrate commercial success.

A development and publicity consultant and independent producer for television and film sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming eight criteria. The AAO accepted two as met but found the rest unmet, so fewer than three were satisfied. It also found no sustained acclaim or top-of-field standing, and dismissed the appeal.

A musician sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The petitioner claimed multiple criteria including awards, membership, published material, and others. The AAO found only two criteria met, below the required three-criterion threshold, and concluded the evidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement in the small percentage at the top.

Musical drama performing artist filed self-petition for EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed membership, exhibitions, high salary, and commercial success criteria. AAO found petitioner failed to meet three required criteria and lacked evidence of sustained acclaim at top of performing arts field.