Attending lectures does not count. I organized conferences; does that count?

Yes. Unlike simply attending lectures, which is passive participation, organizing conferences can serve as evidence in an EB-1 petition because it demonstrates leadership, initiative, and the trust your professional community places in you.

Coordinating an event involves planning, networking, and peer recognition, elements that help support the outstanding profile the EB-1 requires. That said, no single activity decides the case: what matters is the overall body of evidence and the significance of the event within your field.

• Keep invitations, programs, and documentation of your organizational role.
• Gather evidence of the event’s reach and recognition within the industry.
• Complement with testimonials, publications, or mentions that attest to its impact.

The assessment is individual, so it is worth reviewing the current criteria with USCIS and aligning your strategy with a specialist before building your petition.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.