EB-1A Appeals: Martial Arts
Last updated 2026-09-02
The AAO dismissed 92.8% of EB-1A appeals from Martial Arts petitioners in published non-precedent decisions from 2000–2025 (n=166). The criterion most often at issue was Prizes or awards.
Outcomes by Year
| Year | Dismissed | Sustained | Remanded | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 (—) | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | 14 (—) | 0 | 3 | 17 |
| 2023 | 11 (—) | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 2022 | 8 (—) | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2021 | 10 (—) | 0 | 2 | 12 |
| 2020 | 16 (—) | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 2019 | 9 (—) | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 2018 | 8 (—) | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2017 | 6 (—) | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2016 | 2 (—) | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2015 | 5 (—) | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2014 | 3 (—) | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 (—) | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 2012 | 11 (—) | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 2011 | 2 (—) | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 | 5 (—) | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2009 | 11 (—) | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 2008 | 2 (—) | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 (—) | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 (—) | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2005 | 8 (—) | 2 | 2 | 12 |
| 2000 | 1 (—) | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Criteria Breakdown
| Criterion | In Dismissed | In Sustained | Total | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prizes or awards | 169 | 4 | 180 | 93.9% |
| Membership in associations | 74 | 2 | 80 | 92.5% |
| Published material about the alien | 65 | 1 | 71 | 91.5% |
| Judging | 47 | 0 | 52 | 90.4% |
| Leading or critical role | 42 | 2 | 46 | 91.3% |
| Original contributions of major significance | 29 | 1 | 32 | 90.6% |
| Sustained national or international acclaim | 19 | 0 | 21 | 90.5% |
| Motion to reopen/reconsider | 20 | 0 | 20 | 100.0% |
| Artistic exhibitions or showcases | 13 | 0 | 15 | — |
| High salary or remuneration | 11 | 0 | 11 | — |
Example Decisions
Sustained2013-10-29The appeal was sustained because the petitioner established eligibility under at least three of the ten regulatory crite
Sustained2005-11-21The appeal was sustained because the AAO found the petitioner's evidence satisfied at least three regulatory criteria. T
Sustained2005-11-21The appeal was sustained because the AAO found that the petitioner, a Greco-Roman wrestler and coach, met the evidentiar
Sustained2013-12-12The appeal was sustained because the AAO found that the petitioner did meet the criterion for 'lesser nationally or inte
Dismissed2024-02-07The motion to reconsider was dismissed because the petitioner failed to meet the requirements for such a motion. The pet
Dismissed2012-04-23The appeal was dismissed because the petitioner failed to meet any of the ten regulatory criteria for an alien of extrao
Dismissed2022-09-19The motion was dismissed because the petitioner failed to meet the requirements for a motion to reconsider by not identi
Dismissed2024-11-15The appeal was dismissed because the petitioner failed to demonstrate eligibility under the minimum three of ten require
Dismissed2024-06-28The appeal was dismissed because the petitioner failed to meet the minimum requirement of satisfying at least three evid
Denied cases most often lacked a clearly defined proposed endeavor with specificity beyond a general field of work; sufficient documentary evidence to meet the evidentiary standard; evidence of national importance (as opposed to local or personal benefit).
Sample: published AAO non-precedent decisions collected from uscis.gov, 2000–2025. These are appeals, not all USCIS adjudications; approval rates here are not initial-filing approval rates. Read our full methodology.
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