Published AAO appeal decisions

Weight loss center operator sought extraordinary ability classification. Met only one of four claimed criteria. AAO found insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or demonstration of career of acclaimed work in health and wellness field.

Artist seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal because she failed to meet at least three evidentiary criteria: awards were not shown to be nationally or internationally recognized, and membership in associations was not conditioned on outstanding achievements as judged by recognized experts.

Pharmaceutical executive with 25 years experience sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner met published material criterion but failed to establish at least three required criteria for extraordinary ability. AAO held insufficient evidence of national or international acclaim.

A Chinese company manager petitioned for EB-1A classification claiming extraordinary ability. The applicant met two criteria (published material and leading role) but not the three required. On appeal, the membership criterion was rejected because the associations did not require outstanding achievements. The appeal was dismissed.

Athlete and coach in combat sport claimed extraordinary ability through five evidentiary criteria. AAO found he met only the awards criterion but failed the published material and membership criteria. Lacking three qualifying criteria, petitioner did not satisfy initial evidence requirement and did not demonstrate sustained acclaim at the top of the field.

A cricket official and administrator seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. He claimed four evidentiary criteria including membership, judging, published material, and critical role. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding he met zero criteria; membership and judging claims failed, and other claimed criteria were not reached.

A CEO of a cleaning service company sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. He failed to meet the required three initial evidentiary criteria; his entrepreneurship award was student-limited, and chamber membership lacked the outstanding achievement requirement, leaving him ineligible for final merits analysis.

Soccer athlete and youth coach seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed one major award and satisfaction of at least three evidentiary criteria. AAO held coaching certificates are not major internationally recognized awards and evidence does not establish three criteria met. Record lacks extensive documentation of sustained national or international acclaim required for this classification.

Financial specialist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner met only one of ten evidentiary criteria (leading role) and failed to establish three required criteria. Evidence lacked specificity about major significance of contributions and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Competitive swimmer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification based on national medals and team membership. AAO affirmed that petitioner met only two of ten criteria, falling short of the required three. Appeal dismissed because petitioner lacked sustained acclaim and did not demonstrate placement among top of field.

A producer and journalist from Venezuela seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability claimed six criteria. The AAO affirmed the Director's finding that she met two (judging, artistic display) but rejected four others (awards, membership, published material, leading role) and concluded her work in local media did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required for the top tier.

A software developer and financial analyst sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding petitioner met only one of six claimed criteria and lacked evidence of sustained national or international acclaim required at top of field.

Visual artist from Venezuela with bachelor's degree in painting. Claimed lesser awards, membership in associations, and published material. Met only two criteria per director; on appeal, awards and membership also rejected as lacking national or international recognition. Appeal dismissed because petitioner failed to meet three criteria threshold and lacked sustained acclaim.

Amateur athlete and coach claiming extraordinary ability in athletics. Petitioner met three initial criteria but failed final merits step: lacked sustained acclaim, no competition or awards post-2017, limited media coverage, and coaching work did not demonstrate top-level achievement required for EB-1A.

Sound design and editing specialist claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A, asserting eligibility for seven criteria. AAO found petitioner met none of the required ten criteria and dismissed the appeal, finding awards lacked national recognition and MPSE membership did not satisfy requirements.

A speech-language pathologist with doctorate and academic experience seeks extraordinary ability classification. Claimed seven criteria but met only two: judging and scholarly articles. Decision held that two criteria met do not establish extraordinary ability; beneficiary's impact appeared limited to institutions where employed, lacking the sustained national or international acclaim required.

Musical director claiming extraordinary ability under EB-1A. Petitioner claimed six criteria and a major international award. AAO found the award not established as major or internationally recognized, abandoned on appeal. None of the six claimed evidentiary criteria were satisfied. Appeal dismissed.

An author from Guatemala sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO upheld the director's finding that the petitioner met only one of ten evidentiary criteria (judging). Awards lacked national or international recognition and claimed associations do not require outstanding achievements for membership. The petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

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.

A computer executive employed as technical architect sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found two criteria met but rejected membership and concluded evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim. The petitioner was progressing toward the top rather than established at the very top of the field.

A creative technologist employed in interactive multimedia displays petitioned for EB-1A classification. Two criteria were met: critical role and exhibitions. The AAO dismissed the appeal because only two of three required criteria were satisfied and final merits showed no sustained national or international acclaim at the very top level.

A martial arts athlete competing in karate sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding he satisfied only two of three required criteria: judging and one other. Awards lacked national recognition; national team membership evidence was inconsistent regarding selection rigor.

Legal consultant seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed membership and original contributions in addition to scholarly articles. AAO found only two criteria met: scholarly articles met, but membership criterion withdrawn due to insufficient evidence. Original contributions lacked demonstration of significance. Overall record did not show sustained national or international acclaim or placement among field's very top.

A senior product manager in cloud computing sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner met only two of three minimum criteria and failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Fashion designer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met only one of ten criteria (exhibitions). AAO affirmed denial: petitioner did not establish three required criteria and failed to show sustained national or international acclaim or position among top of field.