EB-1A Appeals: Education
Last updated 2026-09-02
The AAO dismissed 93.1% of EB-1A appeals from Education petitioners in published non-precedent decisions from 2005–2025 (n=72). The criterion most often at issue was Prizes or awards.
Outcomes by Year
| Year | Dismissed | Sustained | Remanded | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 (—) | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 (—) | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| 2023 | 7 (—) | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 2022 | 3 (—) | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 (—) | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | 5 (—) | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2019 | 5 (—) | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 (—) | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2017 | 5 (—) | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2016 | 3 (—) | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 (—) | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2014 | 2 (—) | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 (—) | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2012 | 6 (—) | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2011 | 2 (—) | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 (—) | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 (—) | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 (—) | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 (—) | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 (—) | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Criteria Breakdown
| Criterion | In Dismissed | In Sustained | Total | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prizes or awards | 54 | 1 | 57 | 94.7% |
| Judging | 34 | 0 | 35 | 97.1% |
| Authorship of scholarly articles | 26 | 1 | 30 | 86.7% |
| Original contributions of major significance | 25 | 0 | 27 | 92.6% |
| Published material about the alien | 26 | 0 | 27 | 96.3% |
| Leading or critical role | 22 | 1 | 25 | 88.0% |
| Membership in associations | 22 | 0 | 22 | 100.0% |
| High salary or remuneration | 11 | 0 | 12 | — |
| Artistic exhibitions or showcases | 10 | 0 | 11 | — |
Example Decisions
Sustained2008-03-10The appeal was sustained because the AAO found that the director failed to properly evaluate the evidence. The petitione
Dismissed2005-09-29The appeal was dismissed because the petitioner failed to establish the sustained national or international acclaim requ
Dismissed2024-09-24The appeal was dismissed because the petitioner failed to overcome the Director's initial denial. The petitioner abandon
Dismissed2012-05-22The appeal was dismissed because the petitioner failed to demonstrate eligibility under the requisite number of criteria
Dismissed2011-05-23The appeal was dismissed because the petitioner failed to establish that the beneficiary possesses the sustained nationa
Dismissed2013-10-15The appeal was dismissed because the petitioner failed to establish the sustained national or international acclaim requ
In sustained EB-1A appeals for Education petitioners, the AAO credited evidence such as peer-reviewed publications in the field. Denied cases most often lacked sufficient documentary evidence to meet the evidentiary standard.
Sample: published AAO non-precedent decisions collected from uscis.gov, 2005–2025. These are appeals, not all USCIS adjudications; approval rates here are not initial-filing approval rates. Read our full methodology.
Get Your Free Strategy Preview →