Published AAO appeal decisions

Business executive and company founder in China claimed six evidentiary criteria for extraordinary ability. AAO found one criterion met but concluded petitioner failed to satisfy the three-criterion threshold and lacks sustained national or international acclaim required for EB-1A classification.

Media management expert sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed judging, leading role, salary, and original contributions criteria. AAO found only judging criterion met; one criterion insufficient. Record lacks evidence of sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability classification.

A business executive in the energy industry sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming to rank among top corporate executives worldwide. The Director found only the leading or critical role criterion met. The AAO dismissed the appeal because membership and published material were not established and the record lacked sustained acclaim at the top of the field.

Beauty products company petitioned for executive with extraordinary ability in business. Although the beneficiary met published material and leading role criteria, she failed to establish three total criteria and lacked sustained national or international acclaim required for EB-1A.

Administrative services manager claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A. AAO dismissed motions to reopen and reconsider because petitioner failed to provide new evidence timely, did not demonstrate erroneous application of law, and did not establish any of the eight evidentiary criteria.

A consultant claimed extraordinary ability based on original contributions, leading role, and high salary. The AAO found only the leading role criterion met, fell short of the three-criterion minimum, and dismissed the appeal without reaching final merits analysis.

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.

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 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.

SAP planning specialist employed by biopharmaceutical manufacturer claimed four additional criteria beyond two initially found met. AAO rejected awards, membership, and high salary findings; rejected final merits step finding insufficient sustained acclaim or position at top of field.

CEO of retail services company sought EB-1A classification. Claimed awards, membership, and leading role criteria. AAO affirmed director finding of only one criterion met. Record lacks evidence of national or international acclaim or place among top echelon of field required.

Business executive and luxury furniture company co-founder self-petitioner claimed three criteria. AAO found two criteria met but concluded aggregate evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained acclaim or extraordinary ability required for EB-1A classification.

A finance minority business coach sought EB-1A. Met judging and leading critical role criteria. Additional claims for awards, membership, and published material rejected. Only two of three required criteria satisfied. No sustained national acclaim or top-field status demonstrated despite claimed contributions.

Business executive and consulting company CEO seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed four criteria beyond leading role already established by Director. AAO found only leading role criterion met, rejected awards and published material claims, and concluded insufficient evidence of placement among top of field.

Event management professional claimed five criteria on appeal after Director found only one met. AAO rejected membership and published material; found petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim or position among top of field.

Self-petitioner chief operating officer seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met three evidentiary criteria: judging, scholarly articles, and leading critical role. AAO dismissed appeal, finding insufficient sustained national or international acclaim and recognition to demonstrate extraordinary ability at top-tier level.

Industrial lubricants entrepreneur and company founder satisfied three evidentiary criteria on initial review. However, AAO found on final merits that petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among top field practitioners.

A firearms company sought extraordinary ability classification for its chief financial officer with prior international banking experience. AAO dismissed the appeal, finding beneficiary met only two of six claimed criteria and lacked evidence of sustained national acclaim or top-tier status.

Attorney petitioner for management analyst beneficiary claimed four criteria; Director found two met. AAO affirmed only two met and rejected original contributions and leading critical role findings; appeal dismissed as threshold three criteria not satisfied.

Retail business consultant sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Director dismissed motion improperly. AAO held Director failed to analyze new evidence of original contributions and did not conduct required two-part review, remanding for reconsideration with full analysis of claimed criteria and final merits determination.

Entrepreneur and founder of luxury automobile club in China claiming extraordinary ability in business. Claimed three criteria on appeal: judging, original contributions, and others already met. AAO dismissed, finding only two criteria met, below the three required, and no sustained international acclaim or top percentile achievement.

Vice president of talent acquisition sought EB-1A. Petitioner met two criteria (leading role, high salary) but AAO found insufficient for third required criterion. Award and membership claims rejected: inaugural conference award lacked established reputation, professional certification not equivalent to association membership. Appeal dismissed.

A construction manager and vice president in China sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner met only published material and leading role criteria but failed awards and original contributions claims due to factual inconsistencies and lack of field-wide impact.