Published AAO appeal decisions

A coffee shop entrepreneur sought EB-1A classification. The AAO affirmed the director's finding that the petitioner did not meet the awards criterion and concluded the remaining claimed criteria were not established. The record showed local success but no evidence of extraordinary ability at the national or international level.

A taekwondo instructor and athlete sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found he met the judging criterion but not the awards or membership criteria, and overall did not demonstrate the sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Employer petitioned for materials science researcher seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO agreed the beneficiary met three initial criteria but dismissed the appeal, finding the final merits analysis showed insufficient sustained national or international acclaim and that the record relied on speculative future accomplishments rather than established current acclaim.

Pianist sought extraordinary ability classification claiming published material, leading roles, and artistic exhibitions. AAO found no criteria satisfied. Published materials lacked required circulation data; concert performances were regional with no evidence of distinguished organization roles. Record showed local media coverage and restaurant employment, insufficient for sustained national or international acclaim.

A video game production company sought EB-1A classification for an environment concept art lead. The petitioner claimed five criteria on appeal. The AAO found only the critical role criterion met. Insufficient evidence of three required criteria led the AAO to dismiss the appeal.

An automotive glass manufacturer petitioned for an employee with experience in judging and scholarly publications in the field. The AAO found the beneficiary met two criteria but dismissed the appeal because the totality of evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top in the field.

Pharmaceutical microbiology production manager seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner did not meet initial evidence requirements; failed to establish three alternate criteria. Awards lacked documented recognition for field excellence; published material insufficient; no sustained national or international acclaim demonstrated.

An architect-type professional sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming eight of the ten evidentiary criteria. The AAO agreed with the Director that the claimed awards, membership, published material and original contributions criteria were not satisfied, so the three-criterion threshold was not met and the appeal was dismissed.

Musician and vocal artist with recent bachelor's degree sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner met at least three criteria but failed final merits determination; record does not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among small percentage at top of field.

Speculative designer claimed seven extraordinary ability criteria. AAO affirmed dismissal, finding only two criteria met (scholarly articles and artistic display). Award lacked international recognition documentation, article published in non-major media, and leading role was contract work lacking organizational distinction. Overall evidence did not establish upper-echelon status.

An MMA lightweight fighter sought EB-1A classification claiming a major international award and multiple alternate criteria. The AAO found the petitioner met published material and high salary criteria but lacked the major international award and failed to establish sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

A dogsledding competitor claimed three EB-1A criteria. The AAO affirmed the director's finding that she lacks a major, internationally recognized award and failed to satisfy three criteria despite meeting two (awards and leading role). The totality lacked evidence of sustained acclaim at the very top of the field.

A pastry chef sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The petitioner claimed six evidentiary criteria beyond the one initially found met by the director. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner satisfied only one criterion when at least three were required, and lacked sustained national or international acclaim.

Music producer and director in Christian music specializing in organizing and producing concerts. Claimed three evidentiary criteria. AAO held petitioner meets none: award lacks national recognition, original contributions lack major significance in music production field broadly, and video views do not constitute recognized commercial success evidence. Overall record lacks sustained acclaim.

A Taekwon-Do athlete from Kyrgyzstan seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed because the petitioner did not establish a major award or meet three evidentiary criteria; the judging and published material criteria were not satisfied, and the overall record lacks evidence of sustained national or international acclaim.

A Brazilian attorney and law firm managing partner in transnational corporate law sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed because, although the petitioner met three evidentiary criteria, the totality of evidence did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or that he was among the small percentage at the very top of his field.

A musician and trumpet player sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed five evidentiary criteria; AAO found two met (awards, exhibitions) and three not met (published material, membership, leading role). AAO concluded petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field, dismissing the appeal.

A singer self-petitioned for EB-1A extraordinary ability, claiming five criteria. The AAO dismissed, finding he met none: awards lacked national recognition, membership not established, published material insufficient and post-dated filing, and judging and contributions claims waived. Overall evidence insufficient for sustained national acclaim.

An actor sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. She met four evidentiary criteria but the AAO agreed with the director that the record does not establish sustained national or international acclaim or that she ranks among the top small percentage of actors in her field. Appeal dismissed.

A visual artist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification claiming six criteria. The AAO found two criteria met (published material and display of work) but this falls short of the three minimum required. The remaining claimed criteria were either rejected or abandoned, and the overall record did not demonstrate sustained national acclaim or placement among the very top of the field.

CEO of beverage company manufacturing energy drinks claimed extraordinary ability status. AAO held petitioner satisfied only one of ten required evidentiary criteria (published materials) but failed to establish three minimum; insufficient evidence of national or international acclaim or recognition in field.

A singer sought EB-1A classification claiming five criteria. The AAO affirmed the director's finding that the applicant met only the exhibitions criterion. The claimed awards and leading role criteria failed because the petitioner did not establish that awards recognized excellence in the field or that his success was sustained and internationally acclaimed.

A senior director of product management met three of ten EB-1A criteria (judging, scholarly articles, leading role). However, the AAO upheld dismissal on final merits, holding the record demonstrates some field recognition but fails to show sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability at the very top.

Quality control engineer in automotive industry sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner met three regulatory criteria (judging, scholarly articles, critical role) at initial step but failed final merits determination. AAO held insufficient evidence of sustained acclaim or place among small percentage at field top.

Fashion and lifestyle blogger seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed eight criteria beyond leading role already conceded. AAO affirmed director's findings that awards lacked field recognition, memberships did not qualify, published material source was not major media, and judging post-dated filing. Appeal dismissed for failing three-criterion threshold.