Published AAO appeal decisions

A set designer for films seeks extraordinary ability classification. Met only one criterion (display/exhibitions) despite claiming additional criteria. AAO found insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or membership among the very top professionals in set design.

Pianist sought EB-1A classification. Claimed awards, published material, and judging. AAO found only judging criterion met; awards lacked national recognition and publications were not in recognized trade outlets. Appeal dismissed because insufficient criteria satisfied and no evidence of sustained acclaim.

Motion picture production designer and art director sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed, finding only two of seven claimed criteria satisfied, progression from student work to assistant positions insufficient, and no sustained national or international acclaim establishing she is among small percentage at very top of field.

Self-petitioner fashion designer and CEO seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability claimed to meet five evidentiary criteria. The AAO sustained, finding petitioner satisfied four criteria and demonstrated sustained national and international acclaim with recognition from major media and fashion industry professionals despite brief career tenure.

Documentary portrait photographer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner met four evidentiary criteria and demonstrated sustained international acclaim through critical recognition and exhibitions. Appeal sustained; petitioner qualifies as individual of extraordinary ability.

A dancer and choreographer who co-founded a dance company self-petitioned for extraordinary ability. She met judging and exhibitions criteria but failed on published material and leading role criteria. The AAO dismissed, finding her regional career insufficient for sustained national acclaim at top field level.

An artist blacksmith sought extraordinary ability classification. Although the petitioner demonstrated three evidentiary criteria met, the AAO affirmed dismissal because the evidence does not establish sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top in the field.

Landscape architect and associate professor claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A. Met three initial criteria: judging, scholarly articles, and exhibitions. AAO found the three-criterion threshold satisfied but dismissed on final merits, concluding the petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained international acclaim or placement among the top percentage in the field.

A 3D artist and animator in the Philippines sought extraordinary ability classification. He claimed all ten criteria but met only two (judging and high salary). The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding insufficient evidence of the sustained national or international acclaim and career of acclaimed work required for extraordinary ability.

Textile embroidery artist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Director found one criterion met; petitioner claimed six additional criteria on appeal. AAO found petitioner met only one criterion and lacked sustained national or international acclaim. Appeal dismissed.

Gourmet baker and cafe co-owner met leading role criterion only. AAO rejected awards as employer-level recognition, published material as non-major media, and exhibitions as commercial not artistic. Final merits unmet due to lack of sustained national or international acclaim.

Fashion designer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed at least five criteria including judging, exhibitions, published material, critical role, and scholarly articles. AAO found judging and exhibitions met but published material lacked attribution and critical role claim unsupported; petitioner failed to meet three-criterion threshold and lacked sustained acclaim.

A ballet dancer and master teacher met only one criterion (judging). The AAO rejected claims of awards, published material in major media, and original contributions of major significance. European theatre performances and teaching did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field. Appeal dismissed.

A Serbian folk singer claims extraordinary ability. She failed to establish awards as nationally or internationally recognized, membership in qualifying associations, or published material in major media. Original contributions lacked evidence of major significance. No criteria met; extraordinary ability not demonstrated.

A photographer self-petitioner claims extraordinary ability under EB-1A, satisfying judging and exhibitions criteria. The AAO affirmed the service center's denial because the petitioner failed to meet three required criteria: membership in elite association, original contributions of major significance, and a leading role in a distinguished organization. The evidence lacked specificity and corroboration of field recognition.

Fashion model self-petitioner sought extraordinary ability classification. Director found petitioner met only one of ten regulatory criteria. Petitioner filed appeal without brief or specific statement of error, marked intent to submit additional evidence but failed to do so after 11 months. AAO summarily dismissed appeal for failure to identify erroneous conclusions.

An actor in theater, film, and television in the United States and South Africa claimed extraordinary ability under five criteria. The AAO found he met only published material; his letters on original contributions and leading roles lacked specificity and corroboration of major significance. He failed to demonstrate the required three criteria or extraordinary ability.

Software design company petitioned for visual designer beneficiary claiming extraordinary ability. Beneficiary claimed awards, leading role, and one other criterion. AAO found only two criteria met, insufficient for eligibility, and did not reach final merits determination.

A carpet weaver claimed six EB-1A criteria beyond the one found met (exhibitions). AAO affirmed one criterion met but rejected others: awards lacked documentation of international recognition, membership documentation was conclusory, publication lacked major media status. Only exhibitions criterion satisfied, but three required; appeal dismissed.

Competitive ballroom dancer and instructor claimed extraordinary ability through three of ten criteria including awards, membership, and leading roles. AAO found only exhibitions criterion met; awards lacked national recognition, memberships were not from qualifying associations, and roles were not leading or critical. Appeal dismissed.

A fashion and costume designer sought extraordinary ability classification. The service center denied the petition for lacking a one-time achievement or three evidentiary criteria. On appeal the petitioner only resubmitted an earlier response letter without contesting the denial, so the appeal was summarily dismissed for failing to identify any error.

A literary nonfiction and business writer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The petitioner claimed seven criteria. The AAO found the petitioner satisfied none of the three required criteria, reversing the director's findings on membership and published material as unsupported by evidence of recognition by experts or publication in major media, and dismissed the appeal.

Photographer sought EB-1A classification. Satisfied four evidentiary criteria but AAO dismissed appeal, finding record did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or placement among small percentage at very top of field despite prizes and judging work.

Traditional jewelry maker appeals EB-1A denial claiming five criteria. AAO found awards criterion not met (UNESCO Prize significance not established) and membership and published material criteria failed. Petitioner satisfied fewer than three criteria and lacked evidence of sustained national or international acclaim.

Chef sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification claiming six criteria initially, then four on appeal. AAO affirmed director's finding that petitioner met only one criterion and failed to establish three required. On final merits, petitioner lacks sustained national or international acclaim and does not rise to very top of culinary field.