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
10 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- O-1ABusiness and managementApr 2026Dismissed
A business executive sought O-1A classification through a technology company petitioner. On appeal the petitioner claimed three of eight criteria: published material, original contributions and critical capacity. The AAO dismissed the appeal because none was established, so the initial evidentiary requirement failed and the final merits were reserved.
0 of 9 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and managementApr 2026Dismissed
University-sponsored global engagement coordinator claiming extraordinary ability. Petitioner established two of eight alternate criteria: judging and scholarly articles. Failed to demonstrate three required criteria under published material and original contributions standards. Decision not reached on final merits assessment.
2 of 6 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and managementSep 2024Dismissed
Dismissed · 8 criteria reviewed2 of 8 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and managementMar 2021Dismissed
Dismissed · 5 criteria reviewed2 of 5 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and management2019Dismissed
A consumer audio company petitioned for O-1A classification for its founder and CEO with a Ph.D. in computer science. The AAO found only the judging criterion met and dismissed the appeal, concluding the beneficiary lacked extraordinary ability in business or sciences without major award or three qualifying criteria.
1 of 8 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and management2019Dismissed
Dismissed · 4 criteria reviewed2 of 4 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and management2016Dismissed
A model management agency petitioned for O-1A classification for a beneficiary in business. The beneficiary met only one of eight criteria and did not satisfy comparable evidence provision. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding insufficient documentation of extraordinary ability.
1 of 7 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and management2016Dismissed
Dismissed · 7 criteria reviewed1 of 7 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and management2016Dismissed
A yacht management company petitioned for O-1A classification for a beneficiary in business. The AAO found beneficiary met only one evidentiary criterion and dismissed the appeal, concluding she failed to demonstrate the extraordinary ability required.
0 of 7 criteria metRead → - O-1ABusiness and management2014Dismissed
Connecticut religious organization petitioned for O-1A beneficiary with extraordinary ability in business. The AAO affirmed denial because evidence failed to satisfy the published material criterion and petitioner did not establish eligibility under at least three required criteria.
0 of 9 criteria metRead →
