Published AAO appeal decisions

Martial arts athlete and coach seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal after finding petitioner met four initial criteria but lacked evidence of sustained acclaim at field top; competitive participation ended around 2017 and coaching credentials were underdeveloped.

Exercise trainer and group fitness instructor with rhythmic gymnastics coaching background claimed six extraordinary ability criteria. AAO affirmed rejection of awards, membership, published material, and judging criteria. Insufficient evidence of national/international acclaim or top-tier status despite experience in field.

A taekwondo athlete and instructor self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner met two criteria but AAO dismissed appeal, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or placement among small percentage at field's very top despite participation in tournaments since 2002.

Gymnastics coach sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed five criteria; AAO found only judging criterion met. Appeal dismissed because petitioner failed to establish three required criteria and lacks sustained national or international acclaim at top of field.

Downhill longboard athlete from Argentina sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO held petitioner met only one of five claimed evidentiary criteria. Lacking sustained national or international acclaim and recent competitive record, petitioner fails final merits step.

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete seeks EB-1A classification for extraordinary ability. Though three criteria were met (awards, judging, exhibitions), the AAO found the totality of evidence does not establish sustained national or international acclaim or place among the very top of the field.

A security manager and fitness trainer claiming EB-1A extraordinary ability satisfied only one criterion (judging); failed to establish three or more required. AAO dismissed, finding insufficient evidence of national or international acclaim.

A taekwondo instructor and athlete sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found he met the judging criterion but not the awards or membership criteria, and overall did not demonstrate the sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

A Taekwon-Do athlete from Kyrgyzstan seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed because the petitioner did not establish a major award or meet three evidentiary criteria; the judging and published material criteria were not satisfied, and the overall record lacks evidence of sustained national or international acclaim.

A jiu-jitsu athlete self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability status, claiming five evidentiary criteria. The AAO found awards established one criterion but rejected membership and judging as not meeting regulatory requirements. The decision concluded the petitioner lacked the sustained acclaim and top-tier recognition required for the classification.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete and coach seeks extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner established two of ten criteria but failed to meet three-criterion threshold. Original contributions and leading critical role claims rejected as unsupported by evidence of significant field impact. AAO found petitioner lacked sustained acclaim required for top-tier status.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach with 40+ years experience seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met only two of ten required criteria: judging and leading role. Failed to demonstrate major international award or sufficient acclaim to establish extraordinary ability standard.

A mountain climber and scout self-petitioner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding he met only one of the ten evidentiary criteria (published materials) but not the required three minimum. Overall record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or elite recognition.

Hockey referee seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met one criterion (leading critical role) but failed to satisfy minimum three-criteria threshold. Lacked major awards, qualifying association membership, judging role, or demonstrated original contributions of significance. Appeal dismissed.

A Brazilian jiujitsu coach beginning in 2012 and coaching since 2015 sought EB-1A classification. The AAO found insufficient evidence of major awards, published material, or judging that demonstrates sustained acclaim and status among the very top of the field.

Competitive cyclist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner met fewer than three regulatory criteria; published material criterion failed due to limited publication scope, and judging criterion failed because refereeing duties do not constitute judging work of others.

A judo martial artist met four EB-1A initial evidentiary criteria through awards, membership, published material, and judging. However, the AAO found insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim and top-tier status to satisfy the final merits determination for extraordinary ability.

Equestrian rider and trainer specializing in show jumping sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed, finding petitioner met only two of three required initial criteria (awards and judging) and failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim and placement among the very top of the field.

A handball player and sports coach claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A, asserting eligibility under three criteria. The AAO affirmed that the petitioner met awards and judging criteria but found membership in a Russian federation did not require demonstrated outstanding achievement. Overall, the petitioner failed to establish sustained national acclaim and position at the very top of the field.

Martial arts instructor claimed extraordinary ability through national and international champion titles, publications, and judging. AAO found two criteria met but overall lacked sustained national or international acclaim. Most documented competition was over eight years old; provincial-level work insufficient for required recognition.

An agent petitioned for a master automotive technician and test driver for O-1A extraordinary ability classification. The beneficiary met only the awards criterion. Published material criterion was withdrawn because foreign articles were not shown to be in major media. Judging criterion was withdrawn due to insufficient corroboration. With only one criterion met, the three-criterion threshold was not satisfied.

Chess trainer seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability. Claimed four criteria; met only leading critical role as national team coach. Membership and judging claims failed; original contributions not analyzed. Failed three-criterion threshold and overall extraordinary ability standard. Appeal dismissed.

Professional Saddlebred horse trainer self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability through awards, membership, and judging. AAO affirmed denial; petitioner met only judging criterion; awards lack recognized significance and insufficient evidence demonstrates national or international acclaim.

A soccer coach sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The director found one criterion met (judging); the AAO affirmed only this finding. With one criterion met against the three required and no major award, the petitioner failed to demonstrate the sustained national or international acclaim required.