Published AAO appeal decisions

A self-represented scientist sought extraordinary ability classification. The director found sustained acclaim was not shown. On appeal, the petitioner only asserted generally that more than three criteria were met, without elaboration or new evidence. The AAO summarily dismissed the appeal for failing to identify any specific erroneous conclusion. No criteria were analyzed.

Musician self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in arts. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner failed to establish any criterion and lacked evidence of sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of her field.

Research associate self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in sciences. AAO affirmed denial, finding petitioner failed to demonstrate major award or meet three regulatory criteria and lacked sustained acclaim at the very top of field.

Taekwondo competitor and coach self-petitioner claimed extraordinary ability in athletics. AAO affirmed denial, finding petitioner failed to establish any criterion and lacked sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of his field as competitor or coach.

A martial artist claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability in athletics based on age-group wushu competition wins and Dan rank advancement. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the awards lacked national or international recognition and the evidence did not establish sustained acclaim at the very top of the field.

A petitioner claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability based on competition awards, association lifetime membership, and published materials. The AAO dismissed, finding awards lacked documentation of national or international recognition, membership did not require outstanding achievement, the publication did not relate to his field work, and evidence did not show sustained acclaim.

A research scientist claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability in life sciences based on fellowship, association membership, publications, and guest speaking. The AAO dismissed, finding the fellowship undocumented, membership not based on outstanding achievement, publications routine to the field, no judging role, and insufficient evidence of sustained acclaim.

A scientist in the sciences claimed EB-1A extraordinary ability based on a university award, research grant funding, and association membership. The AAO dismissed, finding the award limited to university Ph.D. candidates and the grant designed for future research rather than recognizing achievement, membership not based on outstanding achievement, and evidence insufficient to show sustained national or international acclaim.

Folk singer petitioner claimed membership in entertainment association. AAO rejected membership criterion as not meeting standards requiring outstanding achievement judged by experts, and found overall evidence insufficient to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of her field.

Physicist petitioner self-represented and claimed membership in Sigma Xi and Optics Society of America, published material recognition, and judging role. AAO found membership requirements reflect research activity not outstanding achievement, publications not in major media, and no evidence of judging based on reputation.

Martial arts competitor and coach petitioner claimed awards from national wushu competitions. AAO found awards reflect competitive success but no coaching credentials or evidence of instructing athletes at national level, insufficient for sustained national or international acclaim.

Former professional tennis player in Venezuela claimed extraordinary ability, citing historical tournament rankings, awards from late 1990s, and intentions to coach. AAO dismissed appeal, finding past awards and rankings insufficiently demonstrate sustained acclaim at time of filing and petitioner presented no evidence of active coaching work.

Athlete in Russia with Master Sport designation and third-place world ranking claimed extraordinary ability. Counsel filed appeal stating decision erroneous and promising detailed brief within thirty days but never submitted it after nine months. AAO summarily dismissed appeal for failure to specifically address director's findings or provide additional evidence.

Attorney in South Africa with counsel representation claimed extraordinary ability. AAO found petitioner successful but lacking sustained national or international acclaim at the very top level. Evidence included article from nine years prior, unpublished court decisions, and solicited letters, none demonstrating the major significance required for the classification.

Self-represented artist seeking extraordinary ability classification failed to respond to director's evidence request despite receiving it at correct address. Director denied petition finding petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained acclaim or meet three of ten criteria. AAO summarily dismissed appeal because petitioner provided no specific challenge to director's findings or additional evidence on appeal.

Ice skating coach and trainer sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found beneficiary lacked sustained national or international acclaim, as competitive athletic achievements ended in 2002 and coaching credentials did not demonstrate top-level status.

Scientist in cell biology claimed extraordinary ability through professional awards and membership in scientific societies. AAO found petitioner did not establish sustained national or international acclaim at the top level, as awards were not nationally recognized and memberships did not require outstanding achievement.

Track and field athlete claimed extraordinary ability based on athletic awards and achievements. AAO found petitioner did not establish sustained national or international acclaim at the top level as of filing date, having failed to satisfy at least three regulatory criteria.

Film scholar claiming extraordinary ability in cinema studies. Petitioner claimed at least three criteria under EB-1A regulations. AAO found awards not nationally recognized, publications not in major media, scholarly articles insufficient for acclaim, and conference presentations lacked evidence of significance. Overall evidence did not demonstrate extraordinary ability.

Self-petitioner sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO summarily dismissed the appeal because counsel failed to submit the promised brief and evidence more than 17 months after filing, and did not address the director's reasons for denial.

Hypnotherapist and entertainer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner failed to meet any of the regulatory criteria and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim placing him at the very top of his field.

Researcher in sciences sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding that while withdrawing some director concerns, the petitioner failed to meet at least three regulatory criteria and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of her field.

Martial artist and Tai Chi coach sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner achieved success as a competitor decades earlier but failed to sustain acclaim through subsequent coaching work and did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top level.

Scientist with counsel-representation filed petition for EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner submitted evidence of research award, training scholarships, and research funding. AAO dismissed appeal, finding scholarships and funding do not constitute nationally or internationally recognized prizes for excellence.

Microbiologist filed self-petition seeking EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Petitioner claimed at least three regulatory criteria including original contributions and scholarly articles. AAO dismissed appeal, finding petitioner failed to demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim at the very top of the field.