Published AAO appeal decisions

A vegetable carver self-petitioner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found insufficient evidence of nationally recognized awards, qualifying association membership, or regular display at exclusive venues. Additionally, no evidence of intention to continue work in the United States. Appeal dismissed.

Inventor and consultant in packaging and industrial machines sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner met two criteria but required three; evidence of patented inventions lacked corporate confirmation of national impact and sustained implementation.

Cancer researcher seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification in sciences. Claimed awards, membership, publications, contributions, scholarly articles, and critical role. AAO affirmed denial on all criteria, finding petitioner a valued colleague but lacking evidence of sustained national or international acclaim at field top level.

Healthcare professional beneficiary; employer petitioned for extraordinary ability classification. AAO found beneficiary met two criteria but evidence fell far short of third required. Awards and membership established, but original contributions, leading roles, and publications failed to demonstrate sustained national acclaim at highest level.

Nuclear physicist self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability through multiple criteria. AAO found petitioner satisfied only scholarly articles criterion. Awards, membership, judging, contributions, and leading role all failed. Insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim at very top level. Appeal dismissed.

Computer science assistant professor sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner met only the judging criterion through peer review; insufficient to satisfy three-criterion requirement. Evidence showed talent but not sustained national or international acclaim.

A research scientist studying bacterial disease mechanisms filed for EB-1A extraordinary ability. He claimed multiple criteria including awards, membership, publications, judging, and original contributions. The AAO affirmed denial, finding he failed to meet three criteria and lacked the sustained national or international acclaim required.

Visual artist claimed extraordinary ability in arts. Submitted evidence of awards, membership, published materials, exhibitions, and organizational roles. AAO found petitioner failed to meet three required criteria; awards lacked documentation, association membership did not require outstanding achievement, publications not major media, exhibitions not at exclusive venues. Appeal dismissed.

A chemist researching anti-cancer agents filed for EB-1A extraordinary ability. She claimed six criteria including awards, membership, publications, judging, original contributions, and scholarly articles. The AAO affirmed denial, finding she did not meet three criteria and lacked evidence of sustained acclaim placing her at the very top of her field.

Hair stylist from Argentina seeking EB-1A classification claiming awards, judging roles, and leadership positions from the 1980s-early 1990s. AAO dismissed appeal, finding no sustained national or international acclaim through filing date and no evidence of continued prominence in field.

A postdoctoral research associate in plasma physics filed for EB-1A extraordinary ability. He claimed seven criteria including awards, membership, publications, judging, original contributions, scholarly articles, and leading role. The AAO affirmed denial, finding he did not meet three criteria and lacked sustained acclaim at the very top level.

Self-petitioner musician specializing in tabla claimed extraordinary ability through awards, membership, publications, judging, articles, exhibitions, critical role, and commercial success. AAO found no criterion clearly satisfied and concluded petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.

Postdoctoral plant scientist seeking EB-1A classification for extraordinary ability in sciences. Claimed eligibility through awards, membership, published materials, and original contributions. AAO dismissed, finding talented researcher lacking sustained national or international acclaim required for top-tier classification.

Self-petitioner dancer claimed extraordinary ability through awards, membership, publications, and exhibitions. AAO found petitioner failed to meet at least three criteria and lacked sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.

Self-petitioner engineer with extraordinary ability in sciences sought EB-1A classification. Claimed membership, scholarly articles, original contributions, and high salary. AAO found scholarly articles criterion met but only two criteria overall satisfied; three required. Dismissed because evidence did not demonstrate sustained acclaim at very top of field.

Self-petitioned psychiatrist with board certifications and institutional contributions claimed extraordinary ability under six EB-1A criteria. AAO dismissed, finding no sustained national or international acclaim placing applicant at very top of field despite accomplishments.

Senior quantitative analyst for financial institution claimed extraordinary ability in business. Met original contributions criterion through cutting-edge forecasting work but failed membership, judging, critical role, and high salary criteria. AAO dismissed appeal; only one criterion met when three required.

Self-petitioned cook claimed extraordinary ability through membership and exhibitions of culinary creations. AAO dismissed, finding fewer than three regulatory criteria met and no sustained national or international acclaim at very top of field.

A cook from China petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding petitioner met fewer than three required criteria due to lack of sustained acclaim documentation, insufficient evidence of judging activities, and absence of clear evidence of intent to continue work in the United States.

Scientist in chemical senses research claimed extraordinary ability through awards, membership, published material, and judging roles. AAO rejected each criterion: awards lacked documentation, membership did not require outstanding achievement, published materials criterion unmet, and supervising research does not constitute judging. Petitioner failed to establish three criteria required for EB-1A.

Postdoctoral medical researcher claimed extraordinary ability through awards, membership, and original contributions. AAO found awards lacked supporting documentation, membership criterion unmet, and publications did not demonstrate sustained national acclaim. Petitioner showed talent but failed to establish three required criteria for EB-1A eligibility.

A collegiate soccer player claimed extraordinary ability in athletics through awards, membership, published material, judging, and original contributions. The AAO found one criterion arguably met but concluded the evidence lacked sustained acclaim necessary for the top of the field, dismissing the appeal.

A scientist claimed extraordinary ability through awards, membership, published material, judging, and original contributions. The AAO rejected each criterion, finding no evidence of sustained national or international acclaim placing the petitioner in the small percentage at the very top of the field.

A scientist claimed extraordinary ability through awards, membership, published material, and judging. The AAO rejected the awards and membership claims as insufficient, found no media attention, and concluded the petitioner failed to meet three criteria required for extraordinary ability classification.

Optical engineer claimed extraordinary ability through awards, memberships, judging, and original contributions. AAO found judging criterion met but other criteria not satisfied. Evidence showed significant contributions but lacked demonstration of sustained acclaim placing petitioner at very top of field.