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
36 decisions
Outcomes in these results
- Dismissed
- Remanded
- Sustained
- EB-1AHealthcare, clinical2016Sustained
Cardiothoracic surgeon and clinical instructor sought extraordinary ability classification. Met three criteria: judging, scholarly articles, and leading role. AAO sustained appeal, finding the aggregate evidence demonstrated sustained national and international acclaim and expertise at the very top of the field.
4 of 4 criteria metRead → - EB-1ALaw, policy, social science2016Sustained
A policy analyst seeking EB-1A in sciences met three initial criteria (judging, original contributions, scholarly articles) and demonstrated extraordinary ability in final merits. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding the petitioner had sustained national acclaim at the very top of his field.
4 of 4 criteria metRead → - EB-1AComputer science and AI2016Sustained
A specialist in intelligent transportation research and associate professor sought EB-1A in sciences. The petitioner met three criteria (judging, scholarly articles, original contributions) and demonstrated sustained national acclaim at the very top of the field. The AAO sustained the appeal.
4 of 4 criteria metRead → - EB-1AComputer science and AI2016Sustained
A computer scientist appealed a denial after submitting additional evidence of high salary on appeal. The AAO found three criteria met: judging, scholarly articles, and high salary. Final merits determination confirmed extraordinary ability through demonstrated expertise at top of field.
4 of 4 criteria metRead → - EB-1ALife sciences and medicine2015Sustained
Biomedical researcher seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability met three criteria: judging, scholarly articles, and original contributions. Final merits determination found petitioner demonstrated sustained national acclaim and recognition in field, achieving level of expertise placing them among very top of field. Appeal sustained.
4 of 4 criteria metRead → - EB-1ALife sciences and medicine2015Sustained
Self-petitioner, biomedical researcher, sought EB-1A classification. AAO sustained appeal, finding petitioner met three regulatory criteria: judging, scholarly articles, and original contributions of major significance. Final merits determination confirmed sustained national acclaim and expertise among top percentage in biomedical research.
4 of 11 criteria metRead → - EB-1APhysics and astronomy2008Sustained
Scientist in physics research sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Claimed at least three criteria including judging, original contributions in spintronics devices, and scholarly articles with 89 citations. AAO sustained, finding NSF review participation, innovative published research, and citation impact demonstrated sustained national acclaim and extraordinary ability.
4 of 4 criteria metRead → - EB-1AOther2008Sustained
Employer-sponsored petitioner established extraordinary ability through meeting three regulatory criteria: awards, memberships, and scholarly articles with substantial citation impact. AAO found the total evidence demonstrated sustained national acclaim and pattern placing beneficiary among the very top in field. Petition approved.
4 of 4 criteria metRead → - EB-1AArts, design, architecture2007Sustained
Employer-sponsored blues musician petition. The AAO found beneficiary met at least three criteria through magazine awards, publications, gold records, and festival performances. Aggregate evidence demonstrated sustained national acclaim and extraordinary ability in the performing arts. Appeal sustained and petition approved.
5 of 5 criteria metRead → - EB-1AElectrical and electronic engineering2007Sustained
An electrical engineer petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability in sciences. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding petitioner met three regulatory criteria through invention of significant microwave technology, substantial publications, and important contributions to the research field, demonstrating sustained acclaim.
4 of 4 criteria metRead → - EB-1ALife sciences and medicine2005Sustained
A neuroscientist claiming extraordinary ability in sciences submitted evidence of original contributions to signal transduction research, scholarly publications, and peer review activities. AAO found three criteria met and sustained overall merits, approving the petition.
4 of 4 criteria metRead →
