Published AAO appeal decisions

Film, commercial, and music video producer and founding executive of production company seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner met three evidentiary criteria. AAO affirmed denial on final merits, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or position at the very top of the field.

Writer and filmmaker claimed five criteria; Director found only two met (awards and published material). On appeal, petitioner asserted judging, original contributions, and artistic display additionally applied. AAO rejected judging for insufficient documentation of jury participation details. Evidence did not show sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Professional auto racing team petitioned for an engineer employed since 2016. Petitioner met three evidentiary criteria but AAO found the totality of evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or position among the very top of the field of automotive engineering.

Children's book author sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner met three evidentiary criteria but director's final merits determination was incomplete and contradictory. AAO remanded case for director to conduct full analysis of all evidence and provide complete explanation for any denial.

A physical education specialist met three evidentiary criteria but failed the final merits analysis. The AAO found his peer review experience, publication record, and conference participation insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim among the top tier.

An anatomist and professor seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. He claimed five criteria including awards, published material, and original contributions. The AAO found the Director met two criteria but failed to adequately analyze three others, requiring remand for proper analysis of specific evidence.

A cricket official and administrator seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. He claimed four evidentiary criteria including membership, judging, published material, and critical role. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding he met zero criteria; membership and judging claims failed, and other claimed criteria were not reached.

Photographer from Venezuela who exhibited work in Venezuela, France, and United States. Met three evidentiary criteria: lesser awards, exhibitions, and judging. However, AAO agreed with director that totality of evidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among top photographers. Appeal dismissed.

Financial specialist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner met only one of ten evidentiary criteria (leading role) and failed to establish three required criteria. Evidence lacked specificity about major significance of contributions and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Police officer and trainer in Brazil seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification, claiming jiu-jitsu medal and various professional achievements. AAO found only three criteria met but rejected petition at final merits stage, finding petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim required for classification.

An economic historian in Turkey and Germany with two books and scholarly articles sought EB-1A classification. Though meeting three initial criteria, the AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim. One book publication seven years prior with 34 citations did not demonstrate top-tier field recognition required.

Biochemistry researcher with Ph.D. from India, conducted research in United States via J-1 visa. Claimed five criteria; met judging and scholarly articles only. Awards, published material, and original contributions rejected. Final merits determination found no sustained acclaim or top-tier status despite meeting two evidentiary criteria. Appeal dismissed.

Orthopaedic surgeon sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner met four evidentiary criteria but AAO held he lacked sustained national or international acclaim necessary for the classification, finding awards were for financial assistance, media coverage was minimal and ended, judging involved only medical students, and publication record insufficient.

A producer and journalist from Venezuela seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability claimed six criteria. The AAO affirmed the Director's finding that she met two (judging, artistic display) but rejected four others (awards, membership, published material, leading role) and concluded her work in local media did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required for the top tier.

Theater actress with over a decade of experience sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met three evidentiary criteria: published material, judging experience, and artistic exhibition participation. AAO affirmed denial on final merits, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier field status.

A mathematical researcher petitioned by a financial management business for EB-1A classification. Four criteria were met: judging, scholarly articles, critical role, and high salary. However, the AAO dismissed the appeal because the totality of evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top in the field.

Opera singer claimed five criteria for extraordinary ability: lesser awards, published material, judging, artistic display, and leading roles. AAO found only two criteria met (judging and display) by the Director, but rejected three others. Published material lacked depth; leading roles involved organizations without distinguished reputation. Petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required.

Wood carving craftsman sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Initially filed under EB-2 exceptional ability; Director treated as EB-1A request. Petitioner met only judging criterion of ten required; failed to meet three-criterion threshold. AAO found no sustained national or international acclaim.

An economics instructor and former professor sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming scholarly articles, judging, original contributions and a leading or critical role. The AAO agreed two criteria were met but found the other two unmet because contributions lacked major significance and the organization's distinguished reputation was unproven, so the appeal was dismissed.

Art curator and architect sought EB-1A classification. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner met only two of six claimed criteria. Petitioner failed to establish three criteria minimum and abandoned architecture for art curation and fashion accessories, showing insufficient intent to continue in claimed field of extraordinary ability.

A speech-language pathologist with doctorate and academic experience seeks extraordinary ability classification. Claimed seven criteria but met only two: judging and scholarly articles. Decision held that two criteria met do not establish extraordinary ability; beneficiary's impact appeared limited to institutions where employed, lacking the sustained national or international acclaim required.

Musical director claiming extraordinary ability under EB-1A. Petitioner claimed six criteria and a major international award. AAO found the award not established as major or internationally recognized, abandoned on appeal. None of the six claimed evidentiary criteria were satisfied. Appeal dismissed.

Doctoral student in mathematics sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner met only scholarly articles criterion; did not satisfy three-criterion threshold. AAO declined to analyze original contributions claim as insufficient initial evidence. No evidence of sustained national acclaim.

Infectious disease physician with medical training and fellowship sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed three criteria beyond two already met (judging, scholarly articles). AAO affirmed that original contributions did not demonstrate major field significance; citation counts and expert letters insufficient. Evidence collectively showed no sustained acclaim or position among field elite.

A painter from Russia claimed extraordinary ability through six evidentiary criteria. The AAO affirmed that he met judging and exhibition criteria but rejected awards and published material claims. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding insufficient evidence of national or international acclaim or top-tier status.