Published AAO appeal decisions

International youth hockey program sought O-1A visa for head coach. Beneficiary met only one of eight evidentiary criteria (high salary). AAO dismissed appeal finding petitioner failed to demonstrate three required criteria and thus could not reach totality evaluation of extraordinary ability in athletics.

A soccer camp petitions for O-1A for a beneficiary transitioning from professional soccer player to coach. The AAO remanded because the Director improperly excluded athletic achievements in assessing extraordinary ability and erred in rejecting the gold medal as major award without requesting additional evidence on coaching eligibility.

An engineering company sponsored a thermofluidic and bridge erosion researcher for O-1A extraordinary ability. The petitioner submitted evidence for four criteria but satisfied only scholarly articles. The AAO found the beneficiary's published work lacked demonstration of major significance; diverse skillset alone does not constitute original contributions of requisite magnitude. Appeal dismissed.

Education counseling business petitioned for school and career counselor beneficiary's O-1A classification. Petitioner claimed seven criteria; director and AAO found none met. Letters lacked evidence of major field significance. Salary was average, not elevated. Appeal dismissed without final merits determination.