dismissed EB-1A Case: Jewelry Design

PUBLIC COW 
hvssfon of personal pdvaey 
U.S. Department of Homeland Security 
20 Mass. Ave., N.W., Rm. A3042 
Washington, DC 20529 
U.S. Citizenship 
and Immigration 
Services 
FEE: Office: TEXAS SERVICE CENTER Date: S E F) 2 fJ 2005 SRC 05 004 51526 
PETITION: Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker as an Alien of Extraordinary Ability Pursuant to Section 
203(b)(l)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 3 1153(b)(l)(A) 
ON BEHALF OF PETITIONER: 
SELF-REPRESENTED 
INSTRUCTIONS: 
This is the decision of the Administrative Appeals Office in your case. All documents have been returned to 
the office that originally decided your case. Any further inquiry must be made to that office. 
ff~obert P. Wiemann, Director 
Administrative Appeals Office 
Page 2 
DISCUSSION: The employment-based immigrant visa petition was denied by the Director, Texas Service 
Center, and is now before the Administrative Appeals Office on appeal. The appeal will be dismissed. 
The petitioner seeks classification as an employment-based immigrant pursuant to section 203(b)(l)(A) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act (the Act), 8 U.S.C. 5 1153(b)(l)(A), as an alien of extraordinary ability. The 
director determined the petitioner had not established the sustained national or international acclaim necessary to 
qualify for classification as an alien of extraordinary ability. 
Section 203(b) of the Act states, in pertinent part, that: 
(1) Priority Workers. -- Visas shall first be made available . . . to qualified immigrants who are aliens 
described in any of the following subparagraphs (A) through (C): 
(A) Aliens with Extraordinary Ability. -- An alien is described in this subparagraph if -- 
(i) the alien has extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or 
athletics which has been demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim 
and whose achievements have been recognized in the field through extensive 
documentation, 
(ii) the alien seeks to enter the United States to continue work in the area of 
extraordinary ability, and 
(iii) the alien's entry to the United States will substantially benefit prospectively the 
United States. 
As used in this section, the term "extraordinary ability" means a level of expertise indicating that the 
individual is one of that small percentage who have risen to the very top of the field of endeavor. 8 C.F.R. 
5 204.5(h)(2). The specific requirements for supporting documents to establish that an alien has sustained 
national or international acclaim and recognition in his or her field of expertise are set forth in the regulation 
at 8 C.F.R. 5 204.5(h)(3). The relevant criteria will be addressed below. It should be reiterated, however, that 
the petitioner must show that he has earned sustained national or international acclaim at the very top level. 
This petition, filed on October 5, 2004, seeks to classify the petitioner as an alien with extraordinary ability as 
a bracelet designer and maker. The statute and regulations require the petitioner's acclaim to be sustained. 
The record reflects that the petitioner has been residing in the United States since April 1999. Given the 
length of time between the petitioner's arrival in the United States and the petition's filing date, it is 
reasonable to expect the petitioner to have earned national acclaim in the United States during that time. The 
petitioner has had ample time to establish a reputation as a designer and maker of jewelry in this country. 
In support of the petition, the petitioner submitted five photographs of what are alleged to be his bracelets. 
This evidence, however, was not sufficient to demonstrate the petitioner's sustained national or international 
acclaim, or that his achievements have been recognized in his field of expertise. On November 3, 2004, the 
director denied the petition, finding that the petitioner's evidence did not satisfy any of the criteria at 8 C.F.R. 
5 204.5(h)(3). 
The regulation at 8 C.F.R. 5 204.5(h)(3) indicates that an alien can establish sustained national or 
international acclaim through evidence of a one-time achievement (that is, a major, international recognized 
award). Barring the alien's receipt of such an award, the regulation outlines ten criteria, at least three of which 
must be satisfied for an alien to establish the sustained acclaim necessary to qualify as an alien of 
extraordinary ability. On appeal, the petitioner has submitted evidence pertaining to the following criteria. 
Documentation of the alien's receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or 
awardsfor excellence in the field of endeavor. 
The petitioner submits a certificate stating that he "won the Golden Award of the Sixth artistic exhibition of 
works of World Conference on Malay Art" (December 21, 1999). The record, however, contains no evidence 
of publicity surrounding this exhibition or evidence showing that the petitioner's award enjoys a significant 
level of recognition. The burden is on the petitioner to demonstrate the level of recognition and achievement 
associated with his award. In this case, there is no documentation from the awarding entity or print media 
showing that the petitioner's award is a nationally or internationally recognized artistic award. 
Evidence that the alien has commanded a high salary or other signijicantly high remuneration 
for services, in relation to others in the field. 
The petitioner re-submits the same five photographs of what are alleged to be his bracelets. On appeal, the 
petitioner has listed a dollar amount under each of these photographs. The record contains no evidence 
showing that the petitioner actually earned the dollar amounts appearing under the photographs. Going on 
record without supporting documentary evidence is not sufficient for purposes of meeting the burden of proof 
in these proceedings. Matter of Soflci, 22 I&N Dec. 158, 165 (Comrn. 1998) (citing Matter of Treasure Craft 
of California, 14 I&N Dec. 190 (Reg. Cornrn. 1972)). There is no evidence showing that the petitioner's 
compensation is significantly higher than that of other jewelry designers. 
Evidence of commercial successes in the performing arts, as shown by box ofice receipts or 
record, cassette, compact disk, or video sales. 
The petitioner claims that the five photographs of what are alleged to be his bracelets are evidence of his 
"commercial success." The plain wording of this criterion, however, indicates that it is intended for "performing" 
artists such as musicians and actors rather than the petitioner's occupation. Nevertheless, the regulation calls for 
commercial success in the form of "sales" or "receipts"; simply submitting alleged photographs of one's work 
cannot satisfy criterion. The record contains no evidence of documented "sales" or "receipts" showing 
significant national distribution of the petitioner's products or their widespread commercial success. 
In this case, the petitioner has failed to demonstrate that he meets at least three of the criteria that must be satisfied 
to establish the sustained national or international acclaim necessary to qualify as an alien of extraordinary ability. 
Review of the record does not establish that the petitioner has distinguished himself to such an extent that he may 
be said to have achieved sustained national or international acclaim or to be within the small percentage at the 
very top of his field. The evidence is not persuasive that the petitioner's achievements set him significantly above 
almost all others in his field at the national or international level. Therefore, the petitioner has not established 
eligibility pursuant to section 203(b)(l)(A) of the Act and the petition may not be approved. 
Beyond the decision of the director, the regulation at 8 C.F.R. 3 204.5(h)(5) requires "clear evidence that the 
alien is coming to the United States to continue work in the area of expertise. Such evidence may include 
letter(s) from prospective employer(s), evidence of prearranged commitments such as contracts, or a 
statement from the beneficiary detailing plans on how he or she intends to continue his or her work in the 
United States." The record contains no such evidence. 
The petition will be denied for the above stated reasons, with each considered as an independent and 
alternative basis for denial. In visa petition proceedings, the burden of proving eligibility for the benefit 
sought remains entirely with the petitioner. Section 291 of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 3 1361. Here, that burden has 
not been met. 
ORDER: The appeal is dismissed.