Published AAO appeal decisions

Badminton coach employed by training center sought O-1A classification. Petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in athletics via membership and published material criteria. AAO found membership requirements did not mandate outstanding achievements and publications were not about the beneficiary.

A boxer and kickboxer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found the petitioner met one criterion (awards) but failed to establish three required criteria overall. The petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim and had not demonstrated the career of acclaimed work required for extraordinary ability.

A mountain biker and cyclist sought EB-1A classification and met only the published material criterion. The AAO dismissed because he failed to establish three required criteria and lacked sustained national or international acclaim, with no sufficient evidence of upper-echelon status in professional cycling.

A competitive wrestler from Uzbekistan sought EB-1A. Met nationally recognized awards criterion via Uzbekistan championships. Did not meet membership in qualifying association or published material criteria. Two of five claimed criteria evaluated; three minimum required. No sustained international acclaim or top-field status established.

Judo and sambo athlete and coach seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner met only one of three required evidentiary criteria through bronze medal at World Sambo Championship. AAO dismissed because petitioner failed to satisfy at least three criteria and lacked sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Self-petitioner taekwondo athlete and trainer seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification claimed to meet six of ten evidentiary criteria. The AAO affirmed denial, finding petitioner failed to meet any three criteria and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier status in the field.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor claimed three criteria including major awards, published material, and membership. AAO affirmed awards and published material but found membership unmet due to automatic admission without expert judgment. Only two criteria met; appeal dismissed without final merits analysis.

Horse owner and breeder in dressage and jumping claimed extraordinary ability through awards and published material. The AAO found no major, internationally recognized award, rejected membership criterion as relating to horses not petitioner, and withdrew the published material finding. Dismissed for failing to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.

Acrobatic performer and gymnastics coach, formerly with O-1 status, sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner met awards and membership criteria but failed published materials. With only two criteria met and no major award, AAO dismissed, finding no evidence of sustained national or international acclaim.

Greco-Roman wrestler and coach sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to satisfy any of four claimed criteria (awards, membership, published material, original contributions), falling short of required three criteria minimum and lacking sustained national or international acclaim.

Ballroom dancer and coach claimed three criteria on appeal: awards, published material, and leading role. AAO found none met, rejecting that competition placements and video posts satisfied regulatory requirements, and dismissed without reaching final merits.

Competitive rower self-petitioner sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner met only one of ten criteria (awards) but needed three. Published material and original contributions claims were rejected for insufficient evidence of major significance. Final merits finding rejected as petitioner lacked sustained international acclaim required for classification.

Soccer academy petitioned for soccer coach as O-1A nonimmigrant athlete of extraordinary ability. AAO dismissed appeal; beneficiary failed to meet any of eight evidentiary criteria, missing major award or three qualifying forms of documentation.

Amateur bodybuilder claimed extraordinary ability. Director found no criteria met. AAO reviewed all four claimed criteria (awards, membership, published material, leading role) and rejected each: awards not nationally recognized, membership organizations lack expert standards, publications insufficient, and gym lacks distinguished reputation. Appeal dismissed.

A karate competitor and instructor sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming five evidentiary criteria. The AAO withdrew the service center's favorable awards finding and found membership and published material unmet. It reserved judging and leading role, since three criteria could not be reached, and dismissed the appeal.

A weightlifter claimed extraordinary ability. He satisfied two criteria: awards and judging. The AAO affirmed he failed membership and published material criteria and did not establish original contributions. Without three qualifying criteria, final merits was not reached.

A Sherpa mountaineering expedition leader seeking EB-1A classification claimed membership, published material, and original contributions. The AAO rejected all claims: membership reflected experience and dues rather than expert-judged achievements, published material lacked proper attribution, and overall record failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top.

A trainer and former athlete competing for Mexico from 2002-2012 claimed extraordinary ability through five criteria, meeting three. The AAO affirmed three criteria met but dismissed the appeal because the totality of evidence did not establish sustained national or international acclaim required for top-tier athletes.

Karate athlete seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification based on national and international competition since age eleven. AAO held petitioner failed to meet threshold requirement of three evidentiary criteria. Membership claim lacked documentary support; published materials not in qualifying outlets; original contributions vague. Appeal dismissed without reaching final merits analysis.

Weightlifter claimed extraordinary ability based on world championship medals, team membership, published material about his work, original contributions, and high salary. AAO found he met awards and membership criteria but failed published material and original contributions. Did not reach final merits analysis because fewer than three criteria satisfied.

Swimmer met three initial evidentiary criteria: awards, membership, and published material. However, on final merits analysis, AAO found petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim, failed to document complete competition record, showed no recent major achievements, and does not rank among small percentage at field's very top.

Martial artist competing in international events sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed six criteria but satisfied none. The AAO found awards lacked national or international recognition, membership not based on expert judgment, published material insufficient, and judging role not demonstrated. Two additional criteria were not reached because the petitioner failed the initial three-criterion requirement.

Martial artist serving as regional federation officer claimed awards, published material, judging, and leading role. The AAO found awards lacked national recognition, media sources were not major publications, service as referee did not constitute judging, and did not reach the leading role claim. Appeal dismissed.

Dog handling company seeks O-1A classification for professional handler. Beneficiary established one criterion: awards. Membership and high salary criteria not met; other claimed criteria not analyzed. Petition also failed contract requirement. Appeal dismissed for insufficient evidentiary criteria and missing employment contract.