Published AAO appeal decisions

A Muay Thai and mixed martial arts coach sought extraordinary ability classification in athletics, claiming six of ten criteria. The AAO analyzed awards, membership and published material and found each unmet, since the evidence did not show national recognition or outstanding-achievement requirements. The appeal was dismissed for failing three criteria.

A chiropractor practiced in Australia, Singapore, and the United States. She claimed four criteria but met only one: leading critical role. The AAO found published material articles were not about her, original contributions lacked demonstrated major significance beyond her own charitable foundation, and salary evidence showed potential rather than past earnings. Appeal dismissed.

Social services organization petitioned for O-1A nonimmigrant visa for traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and acupuncturist. Beneficiary claimed four criteria but satisfied only one. AAO affirmed denial, finding no major award and fewer than three criteria met; insufficient for O-1A eligibility.

Avant-garde dance artist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner met exhibitions criterion but failed to demonstrate published materials about her work in major media. With only one criterion met, AAO dismissed, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim.

A model management agency sponsored a fashion model for O-1A classification. The AAO found the applicant failed to demonstrate either a significant award or three of six evidentiary criteria. Past magazine features and advertising work were insufficient evidence of lead roles in distinguished productions. The appeal was dismissed.

A mountaineer initially approved for EB-1A had approval revoked after notice of intent. The AAO found only the leading role criterion met; awards, membership, and published material claims failed. The petition did not meet the three-criterion threshold. Final merits analysis confirmed the petitioner lacks the required sustained acclaim.

A civil engineer seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability claimed seven criteria. The AAO found awards, membership, and published material unmet. Because the petitioner failed to meet the required three initial criteria, final merits analysis was unnecessary, though the record in aggregate did not show the required acclaim.

A tango dancer and teacher seeking EB-1A classification claimed three criteria: published material, judging, and artistic displays. The AAO found he met all three initial criteria but dismissed the appeal because his accomplishments do not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or place him among the small percentage at the very top of his field.

Music teacher claimed extraordinary ability via awards, membership, published material, and scholarly articles. Failed to demonstrate awards were nationally recognized or that memberships required expert judgment. Published material lacked major medium status. AAO found insufficient evidence of three criteria and no sustained international acclaim.

A journalist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability, claiming four criteria. Service center found only original contributions met; AAO reversed all findings. Awards lacked national recognition, published material articles were not about petitioner, original contributions lacked specificity about field impact though some articles were cited in government reports. Appeal dismissed.

A singer in bands claims extraordinary ability in music. She alleged six criteria including awards, membership, published material, and leading role. The AAO found she met none of the required minimum three criteria. Evidence of a gold record award, band membership, and performance video did not satisfy regulatory requirements for documentation, recognition level, or publication standards.

Documentary filmmaker claimed extraordinary ability in arts. Director found four criteria met; AAO withdrew two findings (awards, published material). Only one criterion ultimately met (judging), below three-criterion threshold. No sustained national or international acclaim shown. Appeal dismissed.

Spa design and wellness professional sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner met only two criteria (judging, leading role), falling short of three-criterion requirement, and lacked evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier field status.

A performing artist and actor initially claimed four criteria met but only two were sustained by the AAO: judging and artistic display. The appeals court found the published material criterion unsatisfied due to missing author attribution and unproven media status, leaving insufficient criteria met and no evidence of top-tier acclaim.

Multilingual voice-over artist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Met awards criterion only. Failed published material, critical role, and high salary criteria. Insufficient evidence of three required criteria or sustained acclaim. Appeal dismissed.

A jiu-jitsu coach claims extraordinary ability based on six criteria. The decision finds insufficient evidence for membership, published material, original contributions, leading role, and high salary. Comparable evidence arguments rejected. With no criteria met, extraordinary ability is not established.

Handball player seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability in athletics. Met only awards criterion. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner failed to satisfy three criteria minimum: judging role unsupported by documentary evidence, junior team and reserve membership lacked expert judgment requirement, published material from non-major publication, and team captain role insufficient for sustained acclaim.

A journalist claimed extraordinary ability through five criteria, meeting at least three via awards, publications, judging, and a leadership role. The AAO found the evidentiary criteria satisfied but dismissed the appeal because the totality of evidence, particularly the awards, demonstrated only local and regional recognition rather than the sustained national or international acclaim required.

A Taekwondo competitor and trainer claimed extraordinary ability through three criteria. The AAO found the petitioner satisfied only one criterion and dismissed the appeal because the evidence fell short of meeting the three-criterion minimum required for further review.

Journalist in Brazil sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed membership, published material, and scholarly articles criteria but satisfied only two: scholarly articles and published material. The AAO reversed published material finding, concluding articles focused on petitioner's works rather than the petitioner, and rejected membership as the association does not require outstanding achievements, leaving only one criterion met.

A taekwondo school sought O-1 extension for an athlete-turned-instructor. The AAO found beneficiary satisfied none of eight evidentiary criteria: awards lacked proper translation and recognition, membership reflected experience not achievement, published material was incomplete, and judging duties were administrative. The AAO dismissed the appeal.

Record label petitions for creative director as EB-1A extraordinary ability in arts. Beneficiary met two criteria (leading role, high salary) but petition failed because petitioner could not demonstrate three minimum criteria: awards were not nationally recognized, membership lacked evidence of outstanding achievement requirements, and published material lacked proper documentation.

Architect sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Director found one criterion met; petitioner on appeal claimed three additional criteria. AAO found petitioner met none of the four criteria claimed and failed to establish three of ten required criteria. Appeal dismissed.