AAO Decisions Explorer · Free
Published AAO appeal decisions
Search the decisions the Administrative Appeals Office has published, narrow them by visa, criterion, field and year, and read our summary of each one with a link to the official PDF.

Decisions in the library
6,586
6,586 classified
Visa types
3
Years covered
2005-2026
Latest decision
Aug 31, 2026
Filters
7 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- O-1ASports and athleticsOct 2022Dismissed
A martial arts school petitioned for O-1 classification for a coach. The beneficiary met only one criterion (judging). The AAO affirmed dismissal because membership and published material criteria were not satisfied and beneficiary failed to establish at least three of eight required criteria for extraordinary ability.
1 of 9 criteria metRead → - O-1ASports and athleticsSep 2022Dismissed
A skydiving center sought to employ a beneficiary as an O-1A nonimmigrant skydiving instructor. The beneficiary met only the awards criterion but failed to establish at least three required criteria overall; the appeal was dismissed because the petitioner could not satisfy the initial evidentiary threshold.
1 of 7 criteria metRead → - O-1ASports and athleticsAug 2022Dismissed
Dismissed · 4 criteria reviewed1 of 4 criteria metRead → - O-1ASports and athleticsJun 2022Dismissed
Fitness management company petitioned for O-1A classification for bodybuilder after initial approval was revoked. AAO dismissed appeal, affirming revocation because beneficiary met only awards criterion and lacked sufficient documentation of membership, publications, and legitimate high salary evidence.
1 of 4 criteria metRead → - O-1ASports and athleticsJun 2022Dismissed
Horse breeding business petitioned for stallion manager as O-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed seven criteria but AAO found only one met. Comparable evidence for awards criterion rejected because petitioner failed to show criterion does not apply to occupation. Appeal dismissed.
1 of 8 criteria metRead → - O-1ASports and athleticsMay 2022Dismissed
Martial arts studio petitioned for instructor beneficiary for O-1A extraordinary ability in athletics. Beneficiary met only one of three required initial criteria and could not establish sustained national or international acclaim; appeal dismissed.
1 of 9 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and managementMar 2022Dismissed
Media production agency petitioned for O-1A classification for senior vice president of production finance. AAO dismissed motions, finding only one criterion met and insufficient documentation of membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements judged by recognized experts.
1 of 3 criteria metRead →
