Published AAO appeal decisions

Artist claimed extraordinary ability in the arts. Met one criterion (published material) but failed to meet at least three required criteria or demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field. AAO affirmed denial.

Professional soccer player and instructor seeking EB-1A classification as self-petitioner. Claimed awards and published material from 1990s; intended to work as coach in United States. AAO found awards too old and awards from unclear league, articles stale, and coaching distinct from competitive playing. Appeal dismissed.

A businessman in concrete technology claimed extraordinary ability through family honors, association membership, and published material. The AAO found family honors do not apply to petitioner, membership criteria unmet, articles insufficient, and aggregate evidence insufficient to establish top-level sustained acclaim.

A writer from Nepal claimed extraordinary ability through an award, published material, and judging experience. The AAO found the award predated filing by six years insufficient for sustained acclaim, publications either incidental or too old, local volunteer judging insufficient, and poor English proficiency undermined intent to work as U.S. writer.

A musician and drummer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed ASCAP membership, published materials, and original contributions to music field. AAO held membership criterion not met because ASCAP does not require outstanding achievement; other criteria unsupported by evidence; and overall evidence insufficient to show sustained top-level acclaim necessary for classification.

Jockey claimed extraordinary ability in athletics through awards, published materials, and critical role. AAO affirmed denial, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim at the very top level of the profession.

Mixed media artist self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in arts, met published materials and exhibitions criteria but failed to meet required third criterion. AAO affirmed denial, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim at very top level.

Entertainment company petitioner sought classification for beneficiary Vice President as extraordinary ability immigrant. AAO affirmed denial, finding beneficiary failed to meet any of five claimed criteria and lacked evidence of sustained national or international acclaim at very top level.

Peking Opera drum player and music director self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in arts. AAO affirmed denial, finding petitioner failed to meet required three criteria and lacked evidence of sustained national or international acclaim at very top level.

Martial artist and nonprofit organization founder claimed extraordinary ability through athletic achievements and planned business activities. AAO affirmed denial, finding no evidence of nationally recognized competitive prizes since 2001, no qualifying published material, and no clear commitment to expertise area in the United States.

Actress claimed extraordinary ability through work in award-winning productions, professional association memberships, and media references. AAO affirmed denial, finding awards belonged to organizations not her individually, union memberships lacked outstanding achievement requirement, and media references were incidental.

Physician petitioner claimed extraordinary ability but failed to meet three regulatory criteria: awards, membership, and published material. AAO found no sustained national or international acclaim at field top and dismissed appeal; employment gaps and lack of U.S. licensure further weighed against EB-1A eligibility.

Postdoctoral researcher in sciences claimed extraordinary ability under awards, membership, and published material criteria. AAO found petitioner met one criterion (membership in Sigma Xi and ASBMB) but failed to meet required threshold of at least three criteria. Evidence showed postdoctoral talent but insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at very top of field.

Traditional medicine practitioner claimed extraordinary ability but failed to show sustained national or international acclaim. AAO found no major awards, publications in major media, or evidence of judging. Misuse of physician titles and credentials raised questions about prospective benefit, warranting dismissal.

Comic book author claimed extraordinary ability but failed to establish sustained national or international acclaim. AAO found local awards, inappropriate association membership, and limited-circulation publications insufficient. Evidence did not show petitioner at very top of field.

An arts field professional represented by counsel claimed extraordinary ability through published material and judging participation. The AAO rejected published material as lacking complete translations and appearing in insufficient outlets, and found judging role did not evidence top-level sustained acclaim. Aggregate evidence insufficient.

A self-petitioner dance instructor claimed extraordinary ability through awards, membership, and published material. The AAO found awards from youth events insufficient, membership requirements did not reflect outstanding achievement, and published material lacked proper documentation. Overall evidence did not demonstrate top-level sustained acclaim.

Winemaker sought EB-1A classification. Petitioner claimed awards, published material, and judging criteria. AAO found awards ineligible as beneficiary was not named recipient, published material did not focus on beneficiary, but judging criterion met. Overall, evidence insufficient to demonstrate extraordinary ability in wine field.

A pianist applied for EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. She claimed three criteria: lesser awards, membership, and published material. The AAO found each criterion not met and concluded the evidence did not establish sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of music performance.

Architect and web designer claiming extraordinary ability in arts and design. Petitioner claimed meeting criteria for awards and published material based on work inclusion in design publications and books. AAO rejected awards claim and published material claim, finding neither establishment of nationally recognized prizes nor publications about petitioner; aggregate evidence insufficient.

A young model claimed extraordinary ability through youth modeling competitions and newspaper features. The AAO found amateur awards at age fourteen do not indicate top-level achievement and newspaper coverage focused on career concerns rather than acclaim. Appeal dismissed for insufficient evidence of sustained extraordinary ability.

Model petitioner claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A through awards, published material, and original contributions. AAO upheld director's denial, finding competition limited to novices insufficient, publications predated filing, and no evidence original style influenced field significantly.

Soccer player claims extraordinary ability in athletics. Asserted awards, published material, and exhibition criteria. AAO found Second Division medals not highest level, runner-up trophies not nationally recognized, newspaper mentions not in major media, and exhibition criterion inapplicable to athletes. Evidence insufficient for sustained top-level acclaim.

Self-petitioner engineer of alpaca fleece equipment seeks extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal, noting petitioner submitted minimal documentation unrelated to any criterion, single newspaper article insufficient, no patent documentation despite design role, and failure to demonstrate sustained national acclaim.

HIV/AIDS researcher filed self-petition claiming extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed awards, membership, and published material criteria. AAO found petitioner met only one criterion; three required. Appeal dismissed because petitioner failed to establish sustained national or international acclaim at top level.