Published AAO appeal decisions

Costume designer for sports and theatrical productions sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner met only one of ten evidentiary criteria (exhibitions). Additional criteria claimed but insufficient documentation provided. Appeal dismissed; petitioner lacks sustained national or international acclaim.

Art museum petitioned for associate curator beneficiary for O-1A extraordinary ability. AAO dismissed appeal, finding no significant national or international award and failure to meet three of six alternate criteria; comparable evidence argument rejected.

An artist claimed extraordinary ability and satisfaction of six criteria beyond two established by the service center. AAO found petitioner met only judging and exhibitions criteria, failing to establish three required criteria. Record did not demonstrate sustained acclaim or top-tier status.

A photographer displayed work in China and Europe. He claimed multiple evidentiary criteria and met four. The AAO dismissed his appeal because evidence did not demonstrate sustained international acclaim or standing among the very top photographers in the field, despite some exhibition recognition.

A musician and composer claimed extraordinary ability through seven criteria. The AAO found only two criteria met: judging and exhibitions. The decision concluded the petitioner failed to establish three required criteria and therefore did not reach final merits analysis, dismissing the appeal.

A petitioner claiming exceptional ability in the arts sought EB-2 classification with a national interest waiver. After a notice of intent to dismiss, she withdrew the appeal. The AAO granted the withdrawal and entered a finding of willful misrepresentation, based on falsely claimed authorship of two books using plagiarized material.

Self-petitioner artist seeking EB-2 exceptional ability and national interest waiver claimed exceptional ability in the arts and satisfaction of the Dhanasar framework. The petitioner withdrew the appeal after the AAO issued a notice of intent to dismiss based on willful misrepresentation of authorship of three books, a material fact affecting eligibility.

A painter sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. He claimed membership, published material, original contributions, and scholarly articles criteria. The AAO found he satisfied only one initial criterion and failed to meet the required three. Appeal dismissed because the petitioner did not establish extraordinary ability through sustained national or international acclaim.

Percussionist and founding band member sought EB-1A classification. Claimed five criteria; AAO found two met. Record reflects successful career with industry recognition but lacks evidence of sustained national or international acclaim placing applicant among top of field.

A pastry chef established six initial criteria including awards, memberships, publications, judging, and high salary. The AAO dismissed because the final merits analysis found insufficient evidence of sustained national acclaim or status among the very top of the field despite meeting initial evidentiary requirements.

A multimedia artist sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming five evidentiary criteria. The AAO found the awards criterion satisfied but concluded he did not meet at least three, treating judging as waived. As an alternate basis, it held the record showed no sustained acclaim or top-of-field standing, dismissing the appeal.

Architect sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming five criteria. AAO found petitioner satisfied only publication criterion. Recognition was predominantly local rather than national or international; petitioner did not demonstrate being among the small percentage at the very top of the field.

A talent management business petitioned as agent for a fashion designer for O-1A classification. The appeal was dismissed because the petitioner failed to establish it was performing the function of an employer under regulations, lacked sufficient detail on employment terms and conditions, and did not provide required itinerary of activities.

An art director and photographer sought EB-1A classification, claiming six criteria. The AAO found four criteria met (awards, published material, judging, exhibitions), exceeding the three-criterion threshold, but dismissed because the totality of evidence did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier status.

Industrial engineer sought EB-1A classification. Met four evidentiary criteria but AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner had not demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim or achieved ranking among small percentage at top of field; appeared early in career.

A visual effects artist employed at an animation studio claimed six criteria for extraordinary ability. The AAO found published materials criterion met but original contributions not met due to vague letters. At final merits, the decision held the petitioner lacked sustained acclaim despite being talented and promising, therefore not meeting the extraordinary ability standard.

Digital illustration artist seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met three evidentiary criteria: published material, judging participation, and exhibition displays. However, on final merits review, AAO found insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim and placement among the very top of the field, dismissing the appeal.

Self-petitioner artist and former professor claiming extraordinary ability as painter. Met three evidentiary criteria: exhibitions, scholarly articles, and judging. AAO found the final merits step failed: evidence does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the top of the field.

Architectural designer claimed three EB-1A criteria. Director found two met (awards, published material); petitioner appealed original contributions criterion. AAO dismissed: petitioner did not demonstrate original contributions of major significance or influence beyond individual projects. Final merits also failed; record showed successful career but not top-tier sustained acclaim.

Senior UX designer claimed five criteria but met only one reliably. Awards lacked proven recognition; design displays served promotional rather than artistic purposes. Insufficient criteria met and no evidence of sustained national acclaim at field top.

A graduate student in architecture sought an EB-2 exceptional ability classification with a national interest waiver. The AAO held that the salary and recognition criteria were unmet, since scholarships were not shown to be remuneration or significant recognition. Without three criteria, waiver analysis was not reached and the appeal was dismissed.

A reggae guitarist filed for EB-1A extraordinary ability claiming six criteria. The AAO affirmed the director's finding that the petitioner met only one criterion and dismissed the appeal, holding the remaining evidence insufficient to establish either a one-time achievement or three qualifying criteria.

Poet seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met awards and judging criteria but failed published material criterion due to documentation defects and unverified translations. AAO found insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.