Published AAO appeal decisions

A journalist from Kazakhstan with roles as poet, writer, and performer sought EB-1A classification. The AAO dismissed, finding she did not establish three of ten criteria: no major award, membership organizations lack required standards, and blog posts do not constitute scholarly articles. Threshold not met; final merits not reached.

Retired professional padel player ranked number one for 13 years sought extraordinary ability classification as coach. AAO determined only two of seven claimed criteria were met. Initial evidence threshold of three criteria not satisfied; final merits determination reserved. Appeal dismissed.

Software engineering manager in cloud computing and AI-driven platforms sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal because although the petitioner met three initial criteria, the totality of evidence did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or that he ranks among the very top of his field.

Equestrian trainer and coach self-petitioner could not use athlete achievements as prior acclaim had ended. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner met fewer than three initial evidentiary criteria and did not reach final merits.

A visual artist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The service center found one criterion met (exhibitions) but not three required. On appeal, the petitioner claimed awards, membership, published material, and leading role. The AAO rejected the awards claim, finding nominations insufficient and team awards lacking individual recognition. Only one criterion satisfied; threshold unmet; appeal dismissed.

A company petitioned for EB-1A classification for its co-founder and head of product in technology. The service center found two criteria met: leading role and high salary. The AAO affirmed denial because the petitioner failed to establish three required criteria; awards, membership, published material, and scholarship claims all fell short of regulatory standards.

A digital health communications influencer and public health educator sought EB-1A classification. The service center found two criteria met; the AAO on appeal reconsidered and found insufficient evidence for the high salary criterion, leaving petitioner below the three-criterion threshold.

An AI researcher with a Ph.D. in theoretical physics sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. She met initial evidence requirements in three criteria but failed the original contributions prong on closer review; citations alone were insufficient proof of major significance. The AAO found the record lacked evidence of sustained national or international acclaim required for the visa.

A digital transformation architect satisfied three initial criteria but failed the final merits test. AAO found his Salesforce certification, recent judging, publications, and employment did not demonstrate sustained acclaim or placement among the very top of the field required for extraordinary ability.

A mountaineer from Bangladesh sought EB-1A classification claiming awards, membership, publications, contributions, and leading role. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding insufficient evidence that awards were nationally or internationally recognized for excellence and that club membership required outstanding achievements by recognized experts. The petitioner did not demonstrate sustained acclaim at the top of the field.

Software development engineer in test claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A, citing five criteria. AAO found he met judging and high salary criteria but abandoned other claims on appeal. Two criteria insufficient; record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability classification.

An entrepreneur and inventor from Transnistria claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A, asserting four evidentiary criteria. The AAO affirmed the Service Center's denial, finding he failed to demonstrate nationally or internationally recognized awards or judging experience, thus falling short of the required three criteria threshold.

A healthcare ethics and medical communication researcher in early-career stage seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner had not established sustained national or international acclaim or demonstrated career of acclaimed work required for extraordinary ability.

Employer petitions for pain management physician with neurology research background claiming extraordinary ability. Beneficiary claimed four criteria; only two met: judging and scholarly articles. Original contributions lack concrete evidence of major significance to field; leadership roles not sufficiently demonstrated. Falls short of three-criterion threshold.

An employer petitioned on behalf of a top executive for extraordinary ability classification. The AAO withdrew the service center's previous findings on two criteria: membership and high salary. With fewer than three criteria met, the threshold initial evidence requirement failed. The AAO declined to reach final merits. Appeal dismissed.

A poet sought EB-1A classification claiming seven criteria but successfully established only one. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding that lesser awards lacked national or international recognition, membership associations did not require outstanding achievements, and overall evidence showed only isolated accomplishments, not sustained acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

Founder and CEO of an AI platform company sought EB-1A classification. Petitioner claimed seven evidentiary criteria and sustained acclaim. AAO affirmed SCOPS finding that only judging criterion was met. Venture capital funding, fellowship participation, and other claims failed because they lacked necessary recognition or expert evaluation. Appeal dismissed.

CEO and inhaled drug delivery researcher claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability, satisfying five initial evidentiary criteria. AAO held totality of evidence insufficient for final merits determination; petitioner lacked sustained national acclaim and did not demonstrate career of acclaimed work placing him among field's very top.

A business executive claimed extraordinary ability through seven regulatory criteria, including awards and scholarly articles. The AAO found he did not receive a major internationally recognized award and met fewer than three alternate criteria. The appeal was dismissed because initial evidentiary requirements were not satisfied.

Competitive swimmer seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO found one criterion met (awards) but withdrew SCOPS findings on membership and published materials; petitioner failed to establish three of ten required criteria. Final merits analysis not reached. Appeal dismissed.

Martial arts athlete sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner met only one of ten criteria required as initial evidence and failed to establish national or international recognition of awards or qualifications.

Choreographer self-petitioner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Service center found three criteria met but AAO reversed on appeal, finding the petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or career of acclaimed work, and did not rank among the very top of the field.

General manager and founder working in advanced materials research and development. Claimed seven criteria; met four initial evidentiary requirements. AAO affirmed denial because totality of evidence did not establish career of acclaimed work or small percentage at very top of field despite meeting minimum threshold.