Published AAO appeal decisions

Martial arts athlete and instructor claimed three criteria for EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO found one criterion met but dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to establish three required criteria and lacked sustained national or international acclaim.

An art director and photographer sought EB-1A classification, claiming six criteria. The AAO found four criteria met (awards, published material, judging, exhibitions), exceeding the three-criterion threshold, but dismissed because the totality of evidence did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier status.

An actor seeks extraordinary ability classification. She claims seven criteria including published materials, judging, original contributions, exhibitions, and leading roles. AAO found only judging and exhibitions met; two criteria insufficient. Petitioner lacks demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim required for top-tier classification.

A research assistant professor in biomedical sciences sought EB-1A classification claiming four evidentiary criteria. AAO found judging and scholarly articles met, but published material and original contributions not met. Overall, petitioner failed to establish extraordinary ability or sustained national or international acclaim required for classification.

Company president and scientific instrumentation developer demonstrated extraordinary ability through peer review work, scholarly articles, leading roles with distinguished company, and original marine geology contributions. AAO sustained appeal finding sustained acclaim at very top of field.

A chemistry researcher self-petitioned for extraordinary ability. Claimed three criteria: judging, original contributions, and scholarly articles. AAO affirmed two criteria met (judging and scholarly articles) but found original contributions lacked major significance. No evidence of postdoctoral training demand or top-field recognition. Appeal dismissed.

A journalist and sub-editor sought extraordinary ability classification, initially claiming all ten criteria. The director found only judging met. The AAO dismissed the appeal, concluding the petitioner satisfied only one criterion because awards, memberships, media coverage, articles and role were not adequately shown, and sustained acclaim was not demonstrated.

Computer engineer and researcher in Internet of Things sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO dismissed because although petitioner satisfied initial evidence criteria, the record failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the very top of the field.

Business development specialist self-petitioner claimed four criteria and extraordinary ability. AAO upheld finding of three criteria met but determined overall evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability classification.

Digital illustration artist seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met three evidentiary criteria: published material, judging participation, and exhibition displays. However, on final merits review, AAO found insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim and placement among the very top of the field, dismissing the appeal.

Self-petitioner artist and former professor claiming extraordinary ability as painter. Met three evidentiary criteria: exhibitions, scholarly articles, and judging. AAO found the final merits step failed: evidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the top of the field.

A vice president and chief content officer at a media company sought EB-1A classification. She met three criteria: judging, leading role, and high salary. However, the AAO found the totality of evidence insufficient to establish sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

A contemporary Christian music producer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Though she met three initial criteria, the AAO dismissed because she failed the final merits test. Limited media coverage, one recent award, and amateur competition experience did not demonstrate sustained acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the field's top.

A wrestling coach claimed extraordinary ability, meeting three evidentiary criteria. The AAO found the evidence lacked comparative data showing he ranks among the very top coaches and that his media coverage and achievements did not demonstrate the sustained acclaim required.

Project commercial manager in rail transportation claims extraordinary ability. AAO found judging evidence lacks specificity and documentation. Final merits analysis shows work on high-profile projects insufficient to establish sustained national or international acclaim at field's top.

Self-petitioner oncologist seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met two criteria: judging and scholarly articles. AAO dismissed appeal, finding original contributions criterion not satisfied and insufficient evidence of sustained acclaim or top-tier recognition in medical field.

Endodontics professor sought EB-1A classification. Met three initial criteria via committee work, publications, and scholarly articles. AAO affirmed but rejected final merits, finding stale citation record, large editorial boards, and ad hoc local committee positions insufficient to establish sustained national or international acclaim. Appeal dismissed.

A CEO and business training center founder claimed seven criteria for extraordinary ability, satisfying three initially. The AAO found insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim, with media coverage local rather than national, dismissing the appeal.

A singer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification, claiming seven criteria. The AAO found three criteria met (awards, published material, judging), satisfying the threshold, but dismissed the appeal because the totality of evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the very top of the field.

Chinese dentist and research center director sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met judging and scholarly article criteria but AAO found only two of three required criteria established. Final merits analysis concluded petitioner lacks sustained national or international acclaim and is not among small percentage at top of dental field.

A mechanical engineering professor from Nigeria claimed extraordinary ability through judging, scholarly articles, and critical roles. The AAO found he met three initial criteria but lacked evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the very top of his field.

Cancer researcher sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed five criteria; Director found two met. Petitioner on appeal asserted three additional criteria and high salary. AAO found only two criteria satisfied overall and dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to meet the three-criterion threshold for extraordinary ability.

A postdoctoral researcher in computational chemistry sought EB-1A classification. The AAO found he satisfied three initial criteria: judging, scholarly articles, and original contributions. However, the final merits determination concluded he lacked the sustained national or international acclaim required, despite recognizable contributions early in his career.

Quality assurance associate in pharmaceutical industry sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed four criteria; director found two met. AAO dismissed, holding petitioner failed to meet three of ten required criteria and lacks the sustained acclaim and top-tier recognition required.

Research scientist in molecular virology claimed four criteria. AAO found three met: judging, original contributions, and scholarly articles. However, appeal dismissed because evidence as a whole does not show sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field.