Published AAO appeal decisions

Vice president of talent acquisition sought EB-1A. Petitioner met two criteria (leading role, high salary) but AAO found insufficient for third required criterion. Award and membership claims rejected: inaugural conference award lacked established reputation, professional certification not equivalent to association membership. Appeal dismissed.

Acrobatic performer and gymnastics coach, formerly with O-1 status, sought EB-1A extraordinary ability. Petitioner met awards and membership criteria but failed published materials. With only two criteria met and no major award, AAO dismissed, finding no evidence of sustained national or international acclaim.

A violinist claimed extraordinary ability under seven criteria including awards, membership, published material, judging, and leading critical role. Only judging and leading critical role criteria were established. Awards, membership, and published material claims were rejected. Acclaim by association with prestigious institutions insufficient. Appeal dismissed.

A sterilization supervisor with an advanced degree sought an EB-2 national interest waiver for infection control management work. The AAO dismissed, finding his proposed endeavor lacked national importance because it would benefit only his employers and their patients, not the field or healthcare industry broadly.

Greco-Roman wrestler and coach sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to satisfy any of four claimed criteria (awards, membership, published material, original contributions), falling short of required three criteria minimum and lacking sustained national or international acclaim.

Gourmet baker and cafe co-owner met leading role criterion only. AAO rejected awards as employer-level recognition, published material as non-major media, and exhibitions as commercial not artistic. Final merits unmet due to lack of sustained national or international acclaim.

A construction manager and vice president in China sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the petitioner met only published material and leading role criteria but failed awards and original contributions claims due to factual inconsistencies and lack of field-wide impact.

An epigenetics and oncology researcher filed I-140 for extraordinary ability. He satisfied three initial criteria including original contributions of major significance. However, AAO reversed on final merits, finding productive career but insufficient sustained acclaim or evidence of very top of field status.

Ballroom dancer and coach claimed three criteria on appeal: awards, published material, and leading role. AAO found none met, rejecting that competition placements and video posts satisfied regulatory requirements, and dismissed without reaching final merits.

Physician researcher in cardiovascular medicine with advanced degree seeks EB-2 national interest waiver. AAO found proposed research has substantial merit and national importance but dismissed appeal because petitioner failed to establish being well positioned to advance the proposed research endeavor.

A fitness industry business consultant filed I-140 for extraordinary ability. He met judging and scholarly articles criteria but failed awards, published material, leading role, and high salary claims. AAO found only two criteria satisfied, below three minimum required.

A talent management agency sought O-1 classification for an actress and dancer under the arts standard. The AAO dismissed the appeal because the oral agreement summary was deficient and the evidence did not satisfy at least three of the alternative criteria. The case concerns arts, not O-1A.

Competitive rower self-petitioner sought extraordinary ability classification. AAO found petitioner met only one of ten criteria (awards) but needed three. Published material and original contributions claims were rejected for insufficient evidence of major significance. Final merits finding rejected as petitioner lacked sustained international acclaim required for classification.

Mechanical engineer with Ph.D. claimed three criteria: judging, original contributions, scholarly articles. AAO found three criteria met but denied on final merits, finding petitioner lacked sustained national or international acclaim at top of field, with recognition tied to laboratory rather than individual achievements.

Fashion designer sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. Claimed at least five criteria including judging, exhibitions, published material, critical role, and scholarly articles. AAO found judging and exhibitions met but published material lacked attribution and critical role claim unsupported; petitioner failed to meet three-criterion threshold and lacked sustained acclaim.

An architectural designer employed by a real estate development company sought O-1A classification. Petitioner claimed eight criteria but only met two. AAO found published materials insufficient, lead role claim unsupported by evidence that beneficiary merely interned, and testimonials from colleagues lacked demonstrated recognition outside that circle. Appeal dismissed.

An employer petitioned for an EB-2 national interest waiver for a process engineer with a Ph.D. in chemistry. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the beneficiary's proposed process engineering work lacked national importance despite the employer's significant business scale, as the work would not impact the industry broadly.

Strategic consulting firm sponsored senior trade and diplomatic advisor. Three criteria met: scholarly articles, leading role, high salary. Published material and original contributions rejected; articles not about beneficiary, letters lacked specifics. Appeal dismissed.

Healthcare and life sciences management specialist holding advanced degree sought national interest waiver of job offer requirement. Director approved advanced degree classification but denied waiver. AAO found proposed endeavor lacks substantial merit at national level because it extends only to employer and clients without broader field impact. Appeal dismissed.

Singer and songwriter of traditional Irish music claimed extraordinary ability. Director found three criteria met but petitioner failed final merits showing sustained acclaim. AAO reviewed and withdrew Director's three-criterion findings, particularly published material. No sustained international recognition established.

A ballet dancer and master teacher met only one criterion (judging). The AAO rejected claims of awards, published material in major media, and original contributions of major significance. European theatre performances and teaching did not demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field. Appeal dismissed.

The petitioner is a stage, television and film actress seeking extraordinary ability classification on her own behalf. She claimed several evidentiary criteria. The AAO dismissed the appeal, finding the initial three-criteria requirement unmet because awards, membership and leading-role evidence fell short, and the record did not show sustained acclaim.

Soccer academy petitioned for soccer coach as O-1A nonimmigrant athlete of extraordinary ability. AAO dismissed appeal; beneficiary failed to meet any of eight evidentiary criteria, missing major award or three qualifying forms of documentation.

Biotechnologist in immunology sought EB-1A extraordinary ability classification. AAO confirmed petitioner met three evidentiary criteria (judging, scholarly articles, leading role) but dismissed appeal because totality of evidence failed to establish sustained national or international acclaim or placement among the very top of the field.