Published AAO appeal decisions

Chinese classical dancer claimed extraordinary ability through awards, published material, original contributions, and artistic display. AAO found she met only one criterion (artistic display); awards not nationally or internationally recognized, articles in low-circulation publications not major media, and contributions lacked supporting documentation, falling short of three-criterion requirement.

A pop singer sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming a major award and eight regulatory criteria. The appeals office found no qualifying one-time achievement and fewer than three criteria satisfied, citing missing evidence of recognition, membership requirements, media details and sales receipts. The appeal was dismissed, with the aggregate record also falling short.

Peking opera performer met three initial criteria but appeal dismissed on two grounds: lack of credible intent to continue performing in field upon entry, and failure to demonstrate sustained acclaim through filing date. Prior recognition ended by 2010.

An architect with over 25 years experience sought EB-1A classification. The AAO found four criteria met: published material, exhibitions, leading role for distinguished organization, and high salary. The aggregate evidence demonstrated sustained national acclaim and placement among the very top of the field.

A comedic actor sought EB-1A classification. The AAO found she met only the exhibitions criterion but failed membership, published material, judging, original contributions, and critical role criteria. She did not claim or satisfy the threshold major award. The appeal was dismissed because she did not meet the three-criterion minimum.

A ballet company petitioned for O-1A classification for a principal dancer. The petitioner claimed the beneficiary met at least three of six regulatory criteria through awards, publications, and critical roles. The AAO held none were satisfied: awards were limited to student-age competitors, no major publications documented the beneficiary, and past roles were student performances rather than professional lead roles. Appeal dismissed.

Sailing competitor and coach sought EB-1A classification. Petitioner claimed five criteria but satisfied only two: awards and judging. The AAO held that membership, published material, and original contributions were not met. Final merits review found insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim.

Automation and control engineer employed by U.S. company sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met two criteria (judging and scholarly articles) but failed to meet required third criterion. Awards, membership, published material, and original contributions findings all insufficient. AAO affirmed dismissal.

Co-founder of mini-grid electrical company sought EB-1A classification in business. Claimed multiple criteria including leading role, published material, and judging. AAO held three criteria met and final merits satisfied through evidence of speaking invitations, conference participation, and expert recognition.

An epee fencer and coach claimed extraordinary ability in athletics, asserting she met one-time achievement or three criteria. The AAO found she met only two criteria: awards and membership. Published material lacked translations; coaching accomplishments lack major significance. Dismissal affirmed.

Journalist petitioner claimed extraordinary ability through awards and published material. Service center denied for lack of sustained acclaim and small percentage status. AAO dismissed appeal as abandoned after petitioner failed to respond to notice, and found willful misrepresentation through fabricated documentation.

Medical scientist sought extraordinary ability in sciences. Claimed six criteria but met none. AAO found judging role merely managerial, original contributions limited to employer, published articles not in major venues, and leadership role impact undemonstrated. Aggregate evidence insufficient for elite status.

A sculptor sought extraordinary ability classification in the arts. The director found only the exhibition criterion met. The AAO found two criteria satisfied, published material and exhibitions, while awards and original contributions failed for lack of evidence of recognition or impact, so fewer than three were established.

Application developer and app company cofounder claims extraordinary ability. Met three criteria: judging, published material, and leading role for distinguished organization. AAO found evidence of sustained national and international acclaim and recognition in the field, establishing eligibility.

Journalist covering South Asia sought extraordinary ability classification. Claimed six criteria but met only one. Decision rejected award nomination, articles not about petitioner, judging unsupported by documentation, and journalism work lacking field-wide impact despite employment at distinguished news organization.

An agent petitions for a professional photographer from Argentina seeking O-1A classification. Petitioner presented articles, testimonials, and work history as photographer. AAO found evidence failed to satisfy required evidentiary criteria: no significant award, no published recognition of individual achievements, no demonstrated lead role at distinguished organizations.

An agent sought O-1A classification for an actor beneficiary. The beneficiary satisfied only one of six required criteria; the decision found insufficient evidence of future leading roles and failed to provide required consultation from a peer group in performing arts, resulting in dismissal.

A taekwondo athlete self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability status. The petitioner claimed five criteria were met. The AAO found none satisfied: medal coverage lacked international press recognition, team membership not exclusive, media outlets unverified, judging only youth-level, and competition display not exhibition. Appeal dismissed.

A ballroom dance instructor and competitive athlete from Ukraine seeks O-1A classification. Only satisfied one of eight evidentiary criteria: judging. Awards lacked documented national recognition, membership requirements undemanding, published material regional not major, and salary not elevated. Decision held insufficient evidence to establish extraordinary ability.

A video producer and director claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO held he failed to establish initial evidence, meeting only two criteria when three were required and lacking a major internationally recognized one-time achievement. Aggregate evidence did not demonstrate the expertise level required for this classification.

Martial arts instructor and referee sought EB-1A extraordinary ability in athletics. Petitioner claimed six criteria but satisfied only judging criterion. Without three criteria met, petitioner failed initial evidence requirement. Appeal dismissed.

Kickboxer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability in athletics. Petitioner claimed five criteria on appeal. AAO found only judging criterion satisfied. Without meeting at least three criteria, petitioner failed initial evidence requirement. Appeal dismissed.

An actor from Nepal sought EB-1A classification as an artist of extraordinary ability. He met three initial criteria: published material, awards, and exhibitions. The AAO dismissed the appeal on final merits, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or recognition at the very top of his field.

Table tennis player seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability claimed one-time achievement and three criteria. Met only awards and published material criteria (two total), falling short of three required. No major internationally recognized award found. Appeal dismissed.