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
10 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- O-1ABusiness and managementApr 2026Dismissed
A business executive sought O-1A classification through a technology company petitioner. On appeal the petitioner claimed three of eight criteria: published material, original contributions and critical capacity. The AAO dismissed the appeal because none was established, so the initial evidentiary requirement failed and the final merits were reserved.
0 of 9 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and managementFeb 2025Dismissed
A company seeks O-1A classification for its financial vice president. The AAO found the beneficiary did not satisfy three required evidentiary criteria. Award evidence was not nationally or internationally recognized, membership and judging claims lacked comparability to regulatory standards, and the appeal was dismissed.
0 of 3 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and managementSep 2024Dismissed
Dismissed · 8 criteria reviewed2 of 8 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and managementMar 2022Dismissed
Media production agency petitioned for O-1A classification for senior vice president of production finance. AAO dismissed motions, finding only one criterion met and insufficient documentation of membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts.
1 of 3 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and managementAug 2021Dismissed
Dismissed · 3 criteria reviewed1 of 3 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and managementMar 2021Dismissed
Dismissed · 5 criteria reviewed2 of 5 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and managementNov 2019Dismissed
Dismissed · 6 criteria reviewed0 of 6 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and management2019Dismissed
Dismissed · 4 criteria reviewed2 of 4 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and management2016Dismissed
A yacht management company petitioned for O-1A classification for a beneficiary in business. The AAO found beneficiary met only one evidentiary criterion and dismissed the appeal, concluding she failed to demonstrate the extraordinary ability required.
0 of 7 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and management2014Dismissed
Marketing manager petitioned by employer for O-1A extraordinary ability in business. Petitioner claimed two regulatory criteria and comparable evidence under letters of recommendation. AAO held petitioner met only two criteria but required three; comparable evidence unavailable because petitioner failed to show criteria do not readily apply to occupation.
2 of 8 criteria metRead →
