Published AAO appeal decisions

A writer and poker lecturer with mathematical doctorates self-petitioned for extraordinary ability. Claimed five criteria (published material, judging, original contributions, scholarly articles, leading role). AAO found no criteria satisfied; publications lacked major media status, articles not in major trade publications, no top-field recognition. Appeal dismissed.

A finance minority business coach sought EB-1A. Met judging and leading critical role criteria. Additional claims for awards, membership, and published material rejected. Only two of three required criteria satisfied. No sustained national acclaim or top-field status demonstrated despite claimed contributions.

Engineer and researcher sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification claiming new equation and research publications demonstrate landmark advances. AAO dismissed appeal holding petitioner failed threshold requirement of sustained national or international acclaim from others in the field; self-assessment of importance does not constitute required recognition.

An illustrator and street artist sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed six criteria plus comparable evidence. The AAO sustained the appeal, finding at least three criteria met, sustained national acclaim established, extensive documentation provided, and prospective work benefit to the United States shown.

A filmmaker who mainly worked as a first assistant director sought extraordinary ability classification, claiming several evidentiary criteria. The AAO found only judging and exhibitions satisfied, rejecting the others, and dismissed the appeal because the record did not show sustained acclaim or standing among the small percentage at the very top.

Master mariner and specialist surveyor seeking extraordinary ability classification. Claims seven criteria; AAO affirms director's finding of only one met criterion and dismisses appeal. Petitioner failed three-criterion threshold; awards lack national recognition, membership requires only experience, published material insufficient, original contributions outside field of endeavor.

Research associate in cellular and molecular carcinogenesis mechanisms claimed three criteria: judging, scholarly articles, and original contributions. AAO affirmed judging and scholarly articles met but reversed original contributions finding. On final merits, sustained national or international acclaim insufficient to demonstrate extraordinary ability.

An IT project manager with a doctorate sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification, claiming five criteria. The AAO found only two criteria met (fewer than the required three), dismissed the appeal, and concluded the petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim and top-tier standing in the field.

Business executive and consulting company CEO seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner claimed four criteria beyond leading role already established by Director. AAO found only leading role criterion met, rejected awards and published material claims, and concluded insufficient evidence of placement among top of field.

Interactive multimedia producer and founder seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability. AAO found petitioner met only two criteria: awards and judging. Rejected membership claim. Dismissed appeal because evidence insufficient to show sustained national or international acclaim and position among field's elite.

Event management professional claimed five criteria on appeal after Director found only one met. AAO rejected membership and published material; found petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim or position among top of field.

A semiconductor staff engineer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed because he satisfied only two of ten criteria: judging and leading critical role. Original contributions lacked evidence of major significance in the field, and the record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.

A chief marketing officer sought extraordinary ability classification, and the service center found only two of ten criteria met. While the appeal was pending, a later petition for the same classification was approved. The AAO dismissed the appeal as moot, also because the petitioner ignored its notice of intent to dismiss.

Track and field athlete met three evidentiary criteria: awards, membership on Olympic teams, and published media coverage. AAO found sustained national acclaim consistent with extraordinary ability at top of field. Appeal sustained.

Software developer specializing in Internet technologies with nearly twenty years of experience claimed five criteria but met only scholarly articles. AAO dismissed, finding insufficient evidence of sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the small percentage at the very top.

Footwear designer filed as self-petitioner for EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed four criteria met. AAO sustained appeal, finding all four criteria established and that totality of evidence demonstrates sustained national/international acclaim and position among very top of field.

Radiation biology and neuroscience researcher seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability. Director found three criteria met; AAO found only two (scholarly articles and judging) while withdrawing published material finding. Original contributions claim rejected due to diminished credibility of similarly structured reference letters. Dismissed; insufficient evidence of sustained acclaim.

AI researcher employed by data and news company met initial three criteria: judging, scholarly articles, high salary. Final merits analysis found no sustained national or international acclaim. Citation counts and letter writers' conclusions not supported by corroborating documentary evidence of field-wide impact. Appeal dismissed.

An MMA fighter competing in amateur and professional competitions claimed four criteria: awards, published material, original contributions, and displayed achievements. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding only one criterion met and concluding the record did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim required for extraordinary ability.

A miniature painter specializing in traditional art sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed because he satisfied only one of ten criteria: artistic display. Other claimed criteria failed due to insufficient evidence of recognition, and the record did not demonstrate career-level acclaim or top-tier standing in the field.

Research scientist claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A. Director found three criteria met. AAO reversed on awards and published material, finding insufficient recognition, and concluded evidence did not establish sustained national or international acclaim or top-tier status. Appeal dismissed.

Principal platform engineer in computer science met judging and scholarly articles criteria but failed to establish original contributions of major significance. Did not demonstrate national or international acclaim at top of field. Appeal dismissed.

Ice skating coach and choreographer failed to satisfy any three evidentiary criteria. Evidence did not demonstrate national or international acclaim or placement among top of field; awards were locally recognized.

Actor self-petitioner claimed three criteria for extraordinary ability. AAO found only published material criterion clearly met, withdrew findings on awards and leading role criteria as insufficient, and concluded overall evidence inadequate to demonstrate sustained acclaim or top-tier status.

Postdoctoral molecular biology researcher seeks EB-1A extraordinary ability. Met judging and scholarly articles criteria but failed original contributions criterion. AAO held that citations and journal prestige alone do not demonstrate contributions of major significance in the field.