Published AAO appeal decisions

A self-represented petitioner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, holding that no criteria were met and the petitioner failed to establish sustained national or international acclaim or placement within the small percentage at the very top of the field.

Economist and educator claiming extraordinary ability under EB-1A. Petitioner submitted evidence of award, organization membership, judging invitations, original contributions, and scholarly articles. AAO found award lacked recognition, membership non-exclusive, judging insufficient, contributions not of major significance, and articles improperly translated. Appeal dismissed.

Self-represented meteorologist claimed extraordinary ability based on awards, memberships in scientific societies, and high salary. AAO found awards insufficient, memberships required only publication records or standard credentials, and no comparative salary evidence provided. Appeal dismissed for failure to meet three criteria.

Self-represented postdoctoral researcher claimed extraordinary ability as scientist based on awards, memberships, published material, and teaching roles. AAO found awards insufficient, memberships not based on outstanding achievement, articles not primarily about petitioner, and teaching roles not at very top level. Appeal dismissed for failure to meet three criteria.

Self-represented fashion designer claimed extraordinary ability but no longer pursues that field. AAO found awards not in fashion design, memberships based on employment rather than outstanding achievement, judging role not nationally recognized, and published work in wrong venues. Appeal dismissed for failure to meet three criteria and lack of current field expertise.

A screenwriter and director from South Africa petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner met fewer than three criteria: awards were neither nationally nor internationally recognized, and association membership required only engagement not outstanding achievement, failing to demonstrate top-level sustained acclaim.

An inventor petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability in the sciences. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner did not meet the required criteria: awards were too old or undocumented, and association membership lacked outstanding achievement requirements, failing to demonstrate top-level sustained acclaim.

A pianist petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability in the arts. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to meet three criteria: age-restricted competition prizes were not nationally recognized, association membership lacked outstanding achievement requirement, and published material did not meet regulatory standards, lacking top-level sustained acclaim.

An airport operations professional sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. He claimed awards, membership, and published material criteria through employer awards, industry association membership, and aviation media publications. The AAO found all criteria unsatisfied due to insufficient evidence of national or international recognition and achievement at the very top level.

Sports aerobics competitor and instructor claimed extraordinary ability in athletics. AAO held petitioner demonstrated only minimal evidence of two criteria, with issues regarding prestige of competitions and membership. Evidence insufficient for sustained acclaim at top level.

A plant biology researcher seeks EB-1A classification. He claimed awards, membership in professional societies, a leading critical role, and scholarly articles. The AAO found he met the scholarly articles criterion but did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or rank in the small percentage at the top of his field.

Research scientist in direct methanol fuel cell systems claiming EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner demonstrated professional distinction particularly in multidisciplinary fields but failed to meet at least three regulatory criteria. Evidence insufficient to show sustained national or international acclaim at the very top.

A karate competitor filed an EB-1A petition claiming extraordinary ability through awards, membership, media coverage, and judging criteria. The AAO found one criterion met but concluded the overall evidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement in the small percentage at the very top of the field. Appeal dismissed.

Senior transportation and ITS analyst seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO affirmed denial, finding the petitioner did not meet three criteria and lacked sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.

Medical researcher sought extraordinary ability as alien of extraordinary ability. Failed to establish receipt of nationally recognized awards or membership requiring outstanding achievement. Did not meet three required criteria or demonstrate sustained acclaim at the very top level of the field.

A Peking opera performer claimed extraordinary ability through awards and association membership. The AAO found awards limited by age are not nationally recognized, membership evidence insufficient, and aggregate evidence insufficient to show sustained acclaim at the top of the field.

A graphic designer claimed extraordinary ability through student awards and association membership. The AAO rejected student-level awards as insufficient, found no evidence of membership requirements for outstanding achievement, and concluded aggregate evidence fails to show top-level sustained acclaim.

A businessman in concrete technology claimed extraordinary ability through family honors, association membership, and published material. The AAO found family honors do not apply to petitioner, membership criteria unmet, articles insufficient, and aggregate evidence insufficient to establish top-level sustained acclaim.

A musician and drummer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed ASCAP membership, published materials, and original contributions to music field. AAO held membership criterion not met because ASCAP does not require outstanding achievement; other criteria unsupported by evidence; and overall evidence insufficient to show sustained top-level acclaim necessary for classification.

Postdoctoral research fellow in muscle biology and insulin-like growth factor research claimed extraordinary ability through awards, memberships, peer review, and contributions. AAO affirmed denial, finding petitioner failed to meet three of ten criteria and lacked sustained national or international acclaim at the very top level.

Senior device engineer self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in sciences under three criteria: awards, membership. AAO affirmed denial, finding petitioner met no criteria and lacked sustained national or international acclaim necessary for top-level classification.

Peking Opera drum player and music director self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in arts. AAO affirmed denial, finding petitioner failed to meet required three criteria and lacked evidence of sustained national or international acclaim at very top level.

Actress claimed extraordinary ability through work in award-winning productions, professional association memberships, and media references. AAO affirmed denial, finding awards belonged to organizations not her individually, union memberships lacked outstanding achievement requirement, and media references were incidental.

Peking Opera performer claimed extraordinary ability through competition wins and professional association membership. AAO affirmed denial, finding awards lacked evidence of national or international recognition, association membership did not require outstanding achievement, and overall evidence did not demonstrate sustained acclaim at the very top.

Marathon runner sought EB-1A classification based on race medals and organizational memberships. Petitioner submitted photographs of awards and participation certificates without corroborating documentation. AAO found evidence showed participation in numerous marathons but no performance indicating national or international acclaim.