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
15 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- EB-1ABusiness and managementFeb 2026Sustained
A vaccine industry executive with law and business degrees sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding he met three criteria: leading critical role, high salary, and original contributions, and demonstrating sustained international acclaim placing him among the very top in his field.
4 of 4 criteria metRead → - EB-1AComputer science and AIDec 2025Sustained
Data streaming platform petitioned for beneficiary as EB-1A extraordinary ability. Service center granted five criteria but denied on final merits. AAO sustained appeal, finding evidence demonstrates beneficiary's sustained national and international acclaim, placing him among small percentage at top of field.
6 of 7 criteria metRead → - EB-1ASports and athleticsJun 2023Sustained
A professional baseball player sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. He claimed and met four criteria: awards, published material, critical role, and high salary. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding the petitioner demonstrated sustained national acclaim and recognized achievements, qualifying him as among the small percentage at the top of professional baseball.
5 of 5 criteria metRead → - EB-1AFinance and economicsFeb 2023Sustained
Senior director in business/economics seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO sustained appeal, finding petitioner met three evidentiary criteria (scholarly articles, leading role, high salary) and demonstrated sustained acclaim at the very top of field through extensive documentation.
4 of 6 criteria metRead → - EB-1AMarketing, media, communicationsApr 2021Sustained
Public relations professional with nearly twenty years in media and senior international roles sought extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner established three criteria at threshold and presented additional published materials evidence. AAO found petitioner demonstrated sustained national and international acclaim and achieved career of acclaimed work in field, qualifying as among small percentage at top.
5 of 5 criteria metRead → - EB-1AArts, design, architectureOct 2020Sustained
Footwear designer filed as self-petitioner for EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed four criteria met. AAO sustained appeal, finding all four criteria established and that totality of evidence demonstrates sustained national/international acclaim and position among very top of field.
5 of 5 criteria metRead → - EB-1AArts, design, architecture2020Sustained
Fashion model petitioner claimed three initial criteria and demonstrated sustained international acclaim. AAO found published material, exhibitions, and high salary criteria met. Evaluating overall evidence, AAO sustained appeal, finding petitioner demonstrated extraordinary ability through acclaimed career, prestigious brand modeling, and field recognition.
4 of 4 criteria metRead → - EB-1ASports and athletics2019Sustained
Field hockey coach employed by university. Met three initial criteria: published material, leading critical role, and high salary. Final merits analysis found sustained national and international acclaim through coaching clinics, publications, and extensive recognition. Appeal sustained; extraordinary ability classification approved.
4 of 4 criteria metRead → - EB-1AArts, design, architecture2019Sustained
A fashion model seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. She claimed multiple criteria; the AAO found three criteria met (published material, exhibitions, high salary) and on final merits concluded the totality of evidence demonstrates sustained international acclaim placing her among the very top of the field.
4 of 5 criteria metRead → - EB-1ABiotech and pharma2019Sustained
A senior director in project management for a pharmaceutical company met three required criteria: judging, scholarly articles, and high salary. The AAO affirmed on final merits that his sustained international acclaim, conference presentations, R&D facility design, and field recognition demonstrate he is among the very top.
4 of 11 criteria metRead → - O-1ASports and athletics2017Sustained
Sustained · 5 criteria reviewed4 of 5 criteria metRead → - EB-1ABusiness and management2017Sustained
An advertising creative director and agency president claimed extraordinary ability in business. The AAO found the petitioner satisfied five evidentiary criteria: awards, published material, judging, high salary, and leading role. The final merits analysis showed sustained national acclaim through extensive awards, media coverage, and judging at prestigious competitions, warranting classification.
6 of 6 criteria metRead → - EB-1AArts, design, architecture2017Sustained
An architect with over 25 years experience sought EB-1A classification. The AAO found four criteria met: published material, exhibitions, leading role for distinguished organization, and high salary. The aggregate evidence demonstrated sustained national acclaim and placement among the very top of the field.
5 of 5 criteria metRead → - EB-1AFinance and economics2016Sustained
Financial journalist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Met at least three criteria including awards, judging/leading roles, and published material. AAO sustained appeal, finding record demonstrated sustained national acclaim and expertise indicating top small percentage in journalism field.
5 of 6 criteria metRead → - EB-1AComputer science and AI2016Sustained
A computer scientist appealed a denial after submitting additional evidence of high salary on appeal. The AAO found three criteria met: judging, scholarly articles, and high salary. Final merits determination confirmed extraordinary ability through demonstrated expertise at top of field.
4 of 4 criteria metRead →
