Published AAO appeal decisions

A water polo player claimed four EB-1A criteria but satisfied only one. AAO affirmed dismissal, finding no major award, insufficient criteria met, and no evidence of the extraordinary sustained acclaim required for EB-1A classification at the sport's highest level.

Martial artist from Uzbekistan seeks extraordinary ability classification. Met four initial criteria but dismissed on final merits. Documented achievements only through 2018; gap of years without evidence of sustained national or international acclaim through filing date.

Airline pilot and flight instructor self-petitioner sought NIW as EB-2 advanced degree professional. Qualified for EB-2 but failed first Dhanasar prong: proposed endeavor of continuing career and addressing pilot shortage lacks national importance despite job creation estimates. Appeal dismissed.

Professional soccer player seeking EB-1A as intending soccer coach. AAO dismissed appeal, finding only two of six claimed criteria met. Petitioner lacked coaching evidence and sustained acclaim in new field; transition from athlete to coach does not satisfy extraordinary ability standard for small percentage at field's top.

An airline pilot sought NIW for EB-2 to work as a pilot and flight instructor. The AAO affirmed dismissal because the proposed endeavor lacked national importance; the petitioner conflated the general importance of the aviation industry with a specific, nationally significant undertaking and did not explain how his work would positively impact the economy on a broad scale.

A karate coach claimed extraordinary ability and sought to open karate schools in the United States. The AAO confirmed he met two criteria—judging and leading role—but dismissed because he failed to meet the minimum three-criterion threshold required for final merits consideration.

A basketball coach, formerly a player, sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Though three initial criteria were facially satisfied as a player, evidence lacked sustained national or international acclaim as a coach. Coaching career began post-filing; sparsely documented coaching does not demonstrate top-level recognition. AAO dismissed.

A hockey athlete and coach appealed denial of EB-1A petition. The AAO withdrew SCOPS's decision that petitioner failed the judging criterion, finding evidence that she served as head referee. With three criteria met, the AAO remanded for SCOPS to conduct final merits analysis of sustained acclaim and top percentage standing.

A judo coach sought extraordinary ability classification. After the service center denial and a prior dismissed appeal, the petitioner filed combined motions to reopen and reconsider. The AAO dismissed both: new certificates postdated filing, the letter was unexplained, and no legal error in the earlier decision was shown.

A basketball player self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found he neither received a major internationally recognized award nor met three of ten evidentiary criteria. Dismissal affirmed because petitioner failed to demonstrate the sustained national or international acclaim required for EB-1A classification.

Mixed martial arts competitor claimed four criteria for extraordinary ability but satisfied only published material. Failed to meet three-criterion threshold. AAO held insufficient evidence of major awards, qualifying memberships, or judging participation, and that aggregate record does not demonstrate sustained acclaim or top-tier status required.

An aviation professional and certified flight instructor sought EB-2 national interest waiver to train future pilots and enhance airline operations. The AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed training endeavor lacked national importance despite the aviation industry's significance; the petitioner focused on personal expertise rather than demonstrating broader field impact or effects in economically depressed areas.

Professional snooker and pool player self-petitioner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO affirmed Service Center denial, finding only one of three claimed criteria met; helping establish snooker academy in Pakistan lacked national or international scope for major significance.

An athlete, referee and coach in horseback archery and polo seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found she met one evidentiary criterion and demonstrated substantial U.S. benefit but failed to satisfy the minimum three required criteria, so dismissed appeal.

Athlete and athletic trainer sought NIW for EB-2 to promote MMA in the US. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance: no showing of significant economic impact, industry growth alone insufficient, and techniques would not elevate field broadly. Appeal dismissed.

Sports management CEO sought EB-2 NIW classification. Petition dismissed for procedural defects: incomplete Form I-140 and failure to submit required DOL Form ETA-9089 Appendix A despite request for evidence. AAO upheld denial without reaching merits of national interest waiver claim.

Martial arts athlete and coach seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal after finding petitioner met four initial criteria but lacked evidence of sustained acclaim at field top; competitive participation ended around 2017 and coaching credentials were underdeveloped.

A speed skater claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A, asserting awards, membership, published material, and exhibitions criteria. The AAO found awards lacked sufficient detail about competition standards and membership criteria were insufficiently documented, failing to meet the required three-criterion threshold. Appeal dismissed.

Snowboarder sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed four criteria: awards, membership, published material, and judging. AAO found insufficient documentation for awards and membership criteria, preventing meeting the three-criterion minimum, and dismissed without reaching final merits.

Airline pilot proposed cargo transport operations, crew training, safety analysis, and technology adoption. AAO held proposed endeavor lacks national importance because pilot failed to show broader field impact; projected revenue and employment benefits insufficient for national importance.

A commercial airline pilot seeking EB-2 classification with national interest waiver claimed his endeavor would reduce strain on the aviation industry from pilot shortage. The AAO dismissed the appeal on two independent bases: invalid electronic signature on the appeal form and failure to establish first prong national importance under Dhanasar framework.

An airline pilot seeking EB-2 classification and national interest waiver. Claimed endeavor in pilot training and mentoring had national importance. AAO held proposed work as pilot and instructor lacks sufficient prospective impact on aviation field broadly to satisfy Dhanasar's first prong; industry importance and worker shortage alone insufficient.

A tennis player sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification with two initial criteria met. She claimed membership in national team and leadership role on university team. The AAO affirmed denials on both: national team membership lacks expert judgment; university team lacks distinguished reputation. Only two criteria met; three required minimum.