Published AAO appeal decisions

Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor claimed three criteria including major awards, published material, and membership. AAO affirmed awards and published material but found membership unmet due to automatic admission without expert judgment. Only two criteria met; appeal dismissed without final merits analysis.

Horse owner and breeder in dressage and jumping claimed extraordinary ability through awards and published material. The AAO found no major, internationally recognized award, rejected membership criterion as relating to horses not petitioner, and withdrew the published material finding. Dismissed for failing to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.

A journalist and brand manager claimed extraordinary ability based on seven criteria. The AAO found three criteria satisfied initially but concluded the petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim and was not among the top percentage in journalism, dismissing the appeal.

A chef claimed extraordinary ability, asserting on appeal that seven criteria were met. The AAO dismissed the appeal after finding that awards, membership, published material and original contributions were not satisfied, and that the record did not show sustained acclaim or a place at the top of the field.

Environmental science researcher claimed to meet five evidentiary criteria for extraordinary ability. AAO found he met two criteria: judging and scholarly articles. Awards and membership criteria were rejected. The decision concluded petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim required for EB-1A classification.

An artist blacksmith sought extraordinary ability classification. Although the petitioner demonstrated three evidentiary criteria met, the AAO affirmed dismissal because the evidence does not establish sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top in the field.

A writer and consultant in occupational safety and mediation claimed seven criteria for extraordinary ability, later adding two more. The AAO found only judging criterion met and concluded insufficient evidence of the required acclaim for sustained national or international recognition in the field.

Software development executive in financial technology claimed extraordinary ability via membership, original contributions, critical role, and salary. AAO found only critical role criterion met, disagreed with director on salary, rejected membership and contributions as insufficient. Dismissed for failing three-criterion threshold.

An international tax attorney specializing claimed six criteria but met none. The AAO found his bar association membership, published work, judging, original contributions, scholarly articles, and leading role all unmet. Lacking three criteria and evidence of sustained international acclaim, the petition was dismissed.

A 3D artist and animator in the Philippines sought extraordinary ability classification. He claimed all ten criteria but met only two (judging and high salary). The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding insufficient evidence of the sustained national or international acclaim and career of acclaimed work required for extraordinary ability.

Textile embroidery artist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Director found one criterion met; petitioner claimed six additional criteria on appeal. AAO found petitioner met only one criterion and lacked sustained national or international acclaim. Appeal dismissed.

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.

Acrobatic performer and gymnastics coach, formerly with O-1 status, sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner met awards and membership criteria but failed published materials. With only two criteria met and no major award, AAO dismissed, finding no evidence of sustained national or international acclaim.

A violinist claimed extraordinary ability under seven criteria including awards, membership, published material, judging, and leading critical role. Only judging and leading critical role criteria were established. Awards, membership, and published material claims were rejected. Acclaim by association with prestigious institutions insufficient. Appeal dismissed.

Greco-Roman wrestler and coach sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to satisfy any of four claimed criteria (awards, membership, published material, original contributions), falling short of required three criteria minimum and lacking sustained national or international acclaim.

The petitioner is a stage, television and film actress seeking extraordinary ability classification on her own behalf. She claimed several evidentiary criteria. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the initial three-criteria requirement unmet because awards, membership and leading-role evidence fell short, and the record did not show sustained acclaim.

Soccer academy petitioned for soccer coach as O-1A nonimmigrant athlete of extraordinary ability. AAO dismissed appeal; beneficiary failed to meet any of eight evidentiary criteria, missing major award or three qualifying forms of documentation.

Rowing coach and former athlete claimed extraordinary ability in athletics. Met three evidentiary criteria but failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required at final merits stage. Appeal dismissed because record did not establish recognition sufficient for EB-1A.

Amateur bodybuilder claimed extraordinary ability. Director found no criteria met. AAO reviewed all four claimed criteria (awards, membership, published material, leading role) and rejected each: awards not nationally recognized, membership organizations lack expert standards, publications insufficient, and gym lacks distinguished reputation. Appeal dismissed.

A Serbian folk singer claims extraordinary ability. She failed to establish awards as nationally or internationally recognized, membership in qualifying associations, or published material in major media. Original contributions lacked evidence of major significance. No criteria met; extraordinary ability not demonstrated.

A photographer self-petitioner claims extraordinary ability under EB-1A, satisfying judging and exhibitions criteria. The AAO affirmed the service center's denial because the petitioner failed to meet three required criteria: membership in elite association, original contributions of major significance, and a leading role in a distinguished organization. The evidence lacked specificity and corroboration of field recognition.

Clinical chemist sought extraordinary ability classification. Claimed five criteria; two were met (judging, scholarly articles). Membership and original contributions criteria were rejected as lacking sufficient evidence of major significance or outstanding achievement requirements. Appeal dismissed as fewer than three criteria satisfied.

Applied mechanics engineer claimed seven criteria including membership, published material, and judging. AAO sustained judging and scholarly articles but rejected membership based on doctoral degree alone not demonstrating outstanding achievement and published material as self-authored. Did not reach final merits stage.

A karate competitor and instructor sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming five evidentiary criteria. The AAO withdrew the service center's favorable awards finding and found membership and published material unmet. It reserved judging and leading role, since three criteria could not be reached, and dismissed the appeal.

A polygraph examiner, researcher and instructor sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming many evidentiary criteria. The AAO found only scholarly articles and judging satisfied, rejecting awards, membership and published material. Fewer than three criteria were met, and the aggregate record did not show sustained acclaim, so the appeal was dismissed.