Published AAO appeal decisions

A vaccine industry executive with law and business degrees sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding he met three criteria: leading critical role, high salary, and original contributions, and demonstrating sustained international acclaim placing him among the very top in his field.

Tattoo artist and painter claimed seven criteria; Director found three threshold criteria met. AAO sustained appeal, finding at final merits that petitioner achieved sustained national or international acclaim through substantial media presence, large social media following, and documented professional recognition as widely respected artist.

An oil and gas industry executive sought extraordinary ability classification. The service center found the initial criteria met but denied on final merits. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding additional criteria satisfied and concluding that the whole record showed sustained acclaim and top-of-field standing, which the director had overlooked.

A sports club petitioned for its coach, a former Olympic-level competitor, claiming extraordinary ability. The director accepted four criteria but denied on final merits regarding coaching recognition. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding the beneficiary reached the top as an athlete and sustained that acclaim as a coach.

Track and field athlete met three evidentiary criteria: awards, membership on Olympic teams, and published media coverage. AAO found sustained national acclaim consistent with extraordinary ability at top of field. Appeal sustained.

Professional basketball player sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed and met three criteria: awards for national championships and bronze medal, membership in national team, and leading role for distinguished organizations. AAO sustained appeal, finding sustained international acclaim and documentation supporting status among small percentage at field's very top.

A water-skier self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability. The AAO found three criteria met: awards, membership in national team, and published material. On final merits, the petitioner demonstrated sustained national and international acclaim as the most successful water-skier in his timeframe, qualifying him for EB-1A classification.

A landscape architect sought extraordinary ability classification in business, claiming nine criteria. The service center accepted three criteria but denied on final merits. The AAO agreed that three criteria were met and found that awards, board service, publications and exhibitions together showed sustained acclaim, sustaining the appeal.

A competitive runner self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability through awards, team membership and judging. The AAO sustained appeal finding three criteria met: nationally and internationally recognized medals, national team membership, and judging evidence. Aggregate evidence demonstrated sustained acclaim and placement among small percentage at field top.

Petitioner in sciences sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Director denied for lack of sustained national or international acclaim. AAO found petitioner met at least three regulatory criteria and that totality of evidence established sustained national acclaim and extraordinary ability warranting approval.

Self-petitioner painter sought extraordinary ability classification. Evidence included membership in Dokuritsu Art Association with national recognition requirements, exhibitions at Tokyo Art Museum and New York galleries, and published material. AAO found petitioner met three criteria, established sustained national acclaim, and showed plans to continue work in United States; petition approved.

Employer-sponsored petitioner established extraordinary ability through meeting three regulatory criteria: awards, memberships, and scholarly articles with substantial citation impact. AAO found the total evidence demonstrated sustained national acclaim and pattern placing beneficiary among the very top in field. Petition approved.