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
1,255 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- EB-1APhysics and astronomy2005Dismissed
Self-petitioner scientist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner, a postdoctoral researcher, failed to meet at least three required criteria through awards, membership, publications, judging, original contributions, or critical roles, lacking documented sustained national or international acclaim. Appeal dismissed.
0 of 7 criteria metRead → - EB-1AMechanical and aerospace engineering2005Dismissed
Industrial engineer appealed EB-1A denial, claiming award, judging, and publication criteria. AAO found no nationally recognized prize, peer review routine without distinction, and expert letters insufficient. Overall evidence demonstrates talent but not elite status required.
0 of 5 criteria metRead → - EB-1ALife sciences and medicine2005Dismissed
Researcher in sciences filed for EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed five criteria; two were met on appeal: published articles with citations and postdoctoral role. However, AAO found overall evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.
2 of 6 criteria metRead → - EB-1AChemistry and materials2005Dismissed
Materials scientist self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability through awards, membership, published materials, judging and scholarly articles. AAO found awards criterion not met as fellowship recognized student promise not professional excellence; published material and judging insufficient in scope; and overall evidence failed to demonstrate top-tier sustained acclaim.
0 of 6 criteria metRead → - EB-1ALife sciences and medicineJan 2000Dismissed
Neuropsychologist claimed extraordinary ability through association memberships, judging and evaluating academic work, original contributions, publications, and high salary. AAO dismissed petition, finding fewer than three criteria met and insufficient evidence of sustained acclaim at top level.
0 of 6 criteria metRead →
