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
7 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- EB-1AFilm, music, performing artsDec 2024Dismissed
A musician sought EB-1A classification by claiming eight criteria. The AAO found one criterion satisfied but dismissed the appeal because the petitioner failed to establish three of ten required criteria. The decision held that the petitioner lacked the sustained national or international acclaim and top-tier status required for extraordinary ability.
1 of 9 criteria metRead → - EB-1AFilm, music, performing artsOct 2024Dismissed
Singer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO held she met only one of ten initial criteria (judging); failed to satisfy three-criterion threshold. Evidence of awards lacked international recognition, organizational memberships uncertified, published material articles improperly documented, and overall record failed to show sustained acclaim at field's top tier.
1 of 6 criteria metRead → - EB-1AFilm, music, performing artsJul 2024Dismissed
A singer self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability, claiming five criteria. The AAO dismissed, finding he met none: awards lacked national recognition, membership not established, published material insufficient and post-dated filing, and judging and contributions claims waived. Overall evidence insufficient for sustained national acclaim.
0 of 6 criteria metRead → - EB-1AFilm, music, performing artsJun 2024Dismissed
A television producer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed because the petitioner satisfied fewer than three of the required ten regulatory criteria. She failed to establish a major award, proper professional association membership, contemporaneous published material about her, and judging participation that existed at the time of filing.
0 of 8 criteria metRead → - EB-1AFilm, music, performing artsApr 2024Dismissed
An actor sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. He claimed seven criteria and met only one. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding he did not satisfy the three-criterion minimum. His published materials were not verifiable or in major outlets, his membership lacked outstanding achievement requirements, his salary was not significantly high compared to peers, and his commercial success was insufficient by volume.
1 of 10 criteria metRead → - EB-1AFilm, music, performing artsMar 2024Dismissed
A television and film producer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, adopting the service center's detailed analysis that the petitioner failed to establish receipt of major internationally recognized awards or satisfaction of three required evidentiary criteria, and thus did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.
0 of 4 criteria metRead → - EB-1AFilm, music, performing artsJan 2024Dismissed
Filmmaker with thirty years experience claimed extraordinary ability through awards, membership, published material, and exhibitions. AAO affirmed awards and membership were not met, published material insufficient, and exhibitions alone do not establish sustained national or international acclaim required.
1 of 5 criteria metRead →
