Published AAO appeal decisions

SAP planning specialist employed by biopharmaceutical manufacturer claimed four additional criteria beyond two initially found met. AAO rejected awards, membership, and high salary findings; rejected final merits step finding insufficient sustained acclaim or position at top of field.

A mechanical engineering professor from Nigeria claimed extraordinary ability through judging, scholarly articles, and critical roles. The AAO found he met three initial criteria but lacked evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the very top of his field.

Chief technology officer claims extraordinary ability based on patents and press coverage. AAO found articles focus on company work, not personal achievements, and patents lack demonstrated major significance in field. Appeal dismissed without reaching remaining criteria.

Cancer researcher sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed five criteria; Director found two met. Petitioner on appeal asserted three additional criteria and high salary. AAO found only two criteria satisfied overall and dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to meet the three-criterion threshold for extraordinary ability.

A postdoctoral researcher in computational chemistry sought EB-1A classification. The AAO found he satisfied three initial criteria: judging, scholarly articles, and original contributions. However, the final merits determination concluded he lacked the sustained national or international acclaim required, despite recognizable contributions early in his career.

Quality assurance associate in pharmaceutical industry sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed four criteria; director found two met. AAO dismissed, holding petitioner failed to meet three of ten required criteria and lacks the sustained acclaim and top-tier recognition required.

Research scientist in molecular virology claimed four criteria. AAO found three met: judging, original contributions, and scholarly articles. However, appeal dismissed because evidence as a whole does not show sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field.

CEO of retail services company sought EB-1A classification. Claimed awards, membership, and leading role criteria. AAO affirmed director finding of only one criterion met. Record lacks evidence of national or international acclaim or place among top echelon of field required.

A neurological surgeon claimed seven criteria for EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO affirmed the Director's finding that she met judging and scholarly articles but rejected awards and membership, and determined that meeting only two criteria did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the top tier.

A film and television director sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO found she satisfied only the judging criterion and concluded she had not demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim or status among the small percentage at the very top of her field.

A director of program management in biomedical sciences sought EB-1A classification. He met three criteria: peer review, scholarly articles, and leading role. The AAO found the evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement at the very top of the field, dismissing the appeal.

Actor in Chinese film, television and theater sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO dismissed appeal, holding petitioner met three regulatory criteria but failed the final merits determination requiring sustained national or international acclaim and placement among the small percentage at the very top of the field.

An associate professor of geotechnical engineering in Venezuela sought EB-1A classification. He claimed seven criteria but met only two: judging and scholarly articles. The AAO dismissed because he failed to establish three criteria, and the record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or that he ranks among the very top in his field.

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.

A personal fitness trainer claimed extraordinary ability based on work with one film production. The AAO affirmed the director's finding that she met only one criterion and lacked evidence of sustained national acclaim or top-tier status.

A stage actor sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Although the AAO found she met at least three of ten evidentiary criteria, it dismissed her appeal because her local and regional theater success, Latino-focused media coverage, and festival participation did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim among the very top of the field.

Long-distance runner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed three evidentiary criteria: prizes, published material, and original contributions. AAO affirmed one criterion met but rejected published material as limited to local coverage and original contributions absent, failing three-criterion threshold.

A percussionist who accompanies well-known artists sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming six criteria. The AAO held that awards, membership, exhibitions and commercial success were not satisfied, reserved two others, and so found fewer than three criteria. It added that the record showed no sustained acclaim.

A television and movie producer in China claimed extraordinary ability, satisfying only scholarly articles of ten criteria. The AAO affirmed that five additional claimed criteria were not met or lacked sufficient evidence, and concluded no extraordinary ability was shown, dismissing the appeal.

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.

Martial arts athlete and coach in taekwondo, muay thai, and hapkido sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found he met three evidentiary criteria: national awards, published material, and judging. However, the final merits analysis concluded he lacked sustained national or international acclaim required for EB-1A.

Maternal and child health specialist and school principal met two criteria: published material and judging. Did not establish leading role for distinguished organization. Director and AAO found only two criteria met, below three required. Lacks sustained national or international acclaim. Appeal dismissed.

Cardiovascular researcher self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability based on four criteria: judging, original contributions, scholarly articles, and leading role. AAO found only two criteria met; original contributions lacked evidence of major significance despite citations. Appeal dismissed as petitioner failed to establish three criteria and sustained national or international acclaim required.

Physician and researcher in hematology oncology sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Met only one criterion (scholarly articles) according to AAO analysis. AAO dismissed appeal holding petitioner failed to establish three required criteria and lacks evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or elite status in field.

A graphic designer and creative services manager sought EB-1A extraordinary ability status. He claimed four criteria and met three of the initial evidentiary requirements. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding he failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or standing among the small percentage at the top of the creative field.