Published AAO appeal decisions

A fashion model claims extraordinary ability. She met only the judging criterion but failed awards, published material, original contributions, exhibitions, and leading role criteria. She lacked documentation for commercial success. With only one criterion met, she falls short of the three required.

A violinist claimed five criteria: judging and exhibitions met; awards, scholarly articles, and leading role rejected or unmet. Only two of three required criteria established. AAO dismissed appeal, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim.

Dance instructor and choreographer seeks EB-1A classification claiming five criteria. AAO found she met judging and exhibitions criteria but not awards or leading role criteria. Evidence did not show sustained national or international acclaim or position among the very top of the field, so appeal dismissed.

An Uzbek traditional embroiderer sought EB-1A classification, claiming five criteria. The AAO found exhibitions established but rejected membership for lack of documented selection criteria, judging for absence of formal role, and original contributions for insufficient field recognition. Director found four criteria met but AAO disagreed, finding overall record lacks evidence of sustained acclaim.

Music composer and trombonist seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification in the arts. Met judging and artistic display criteria. Failed to establish leading critical role or high salary claims due to insufficient evidence of organizational distinction and inadequate compensation comparisons. Appeal dismissed for not meeting three required initial criteria.

Creative director claimed extraordinary ability through six criteria including awards, membership, published material, and original contributions. AAO found only judging criterion met; awards were team-based, memberships did not qualify, published material requirement unmet, and designs lacked major significance. Appeal dismissed.

Guitarist met three initial criteria: judging, leading critical role, and commercial success. On final merits, AAO found petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim due to sixteen-year career gap from 2000 to 2016 without documented commercial success and insufficient evidence of renewed success since rejoining band.

Jazz pianist claimed extraordinary ability through at least three initial evidentiary criteria. Director found two criteria met; petitioner claimed five on appeal. AAO affirmed only two criteria met (judging and exhibitions) and rejected others for insufficient evidence of national or international recognition, major media publication, or distinguished reputation. Appeal dismissed.

A tango dancer and teacher seeking EB-1A classification claimed three criteria: published material, judging, and artistic displays. The AAO found he met all three initial criteria but dismissed the appeal because his accomplishments do not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or place him among the small percentage at the very top of his field.

A violinist met four criteria: awards for first place in international competition, published material in economic media about her win, judging, and leading role with multiple major orchestras. The AAO sustained, finding her international competition success, media coverage, and performances with distinguished orchestras demonstrate sustained acclaim and top-tier status.

Spa design and wellness professional sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner met only two criteria (judging, leading role), falling short of three-criterion requirement, and lacked evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier field status.

A master embroidery artisan claimed extraordinary ability in traditional Uzbek embroidery, alleging five criteria satisfied. The AAO upheld the Director's revocation, finding only one criterion met and rejecting the others for lack of objective evidence: no major award, unverified membership, insufficient scholarly publication, and contributions lacking demonstrated field impact.

Record label petitions for creative director as EB-1A extraordinary ability in arts. Beneficiary met two criteria (leading role, high salary) but petition failed because petitioner could not demonstrate three minimum criteria: awards were not nationally recognized, membership lacked evidence of outstanding achievement requirements, and published material lacked proper documentation.