dismissed EB-1A
Music Composer
Music Composer · 2025-01-16
This case is from a USCIS Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) appeal decision. Appeal cases represent a subset of petitions and may not reflect typical outcomes.
Framework Evaluation
2 of 3 criteria metPublished Material (Met)
The Director determined the Petitioner fulfilled the published material criterion, and this finding was not contested on appeal.
Leading or Critical Role (Met)
The Director determined the Petitioner fulfilled the leading or critical role criterion, and this finding was not contested on appeal.
Awards (Not Met)
The Petitioner's 'Best Original Song' award at the I Awards monthly international film festival was deemed insufficient as there was no evidence of its national or international significance beyond the festival itself.
Judging (Not Met)
The Director's finding that the Petitioner did not meet the judging criterion was not contested on appeal and is considered abandoned.
Exhibitions or Showcases (Not Met)
The Petitioner's musical compositions for films streamed on Netflix were considered heard but not 'displayed' as per the ordinary meaning of the regulation, thus failing to meet this criterion.
Why This Petition Was Denied
The appeal was dismissed because the Petitioner failed to demonstrate eligibility as an individual of extraordinary ability. Specifically, the Petitioner did not establish receipt of a major, internationally recognized award, nor did he satisfy at least three of the ten alternate regulatory criteria. While the Petitioner met the published material and leading or critical role criteria, he failed to prove the awards criterion (his 'Best Original Song' award lacked national/international significance) and the display criterion (his musical compositions were heard, not seen or displayed, in films).
Evidence
Evidence Types
Awards
Published Material
Judging
Exhibitions
Leading Role
Evidence Submitted
- Award for 'Best Original Song' at the I Awards monthly international film festival (not recognized as nationally or internationally significant)
- Netflix webpages for films 'I I' and 'I I' listing 'Music by [the Petitioner]'
- IMDb.com 'Full Cast & Crew' information for films 'I I' and 'I I'
- October 2024 letter from W-S-, film director, endorsing Petitioner's work as composer for films 'I I' (2021) and 'I I' (2023)
- Article 'How Netflix Expanded to 190 Countries in 7 Years'
- Online reviews of 'I I' on IMDb.com, one complimenting the film's music
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Frequently Asked Questions
A dismissed EB-1A petition means USCIS found the evidence insufficient to meet the eligibility criteria. Common reasons include weak documentation, failure to meet the required number of criteria, or insufficient evidence of the claimed qualifications. Petitioners can refile with stronger evidence or explore alternative visa categories.
Browse More Cases
Case data sourced from publicly available petition decisions and case studies. Decision date: 2025-01-16.
Browse all casesAt a Glance
Outcome dismissed
Criteria Met 2 / 3
Evidence Types 5
EB-1A Case Data
Scraped Case Data
Total Cases 919
Success Rate 53.0%
Sustained 487
Dismissed 315
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