Can a doctoral thesis with honors count as a ‘major academic award’?

In the EB-1, the ‘major academic award’ typically refers to distinctions of broad national or international recognition, awarded to a select group of outstanding professionals in the field. A doctoral thesis with honors is a legitimate academic achievement, but it generally does not qualify on its own under this more demanding category.

That does not mean it is irrelevant. An academic distinction can enter your portfolio as part of a larger body of evidence of excellence, especially when combined with other milestones in your career. What carries weight is the level of recognition and the visibility of the distinction within your field.

To strengthen your case, it is worth gathering complementary evidence, such as:

• Awards and recognitions with broader reach in your field.
• Publications and the impact of your work.
• Letters from experts who can contextualize the relevance of your achievements.

Since each case is evaluated individually, it is advisable to verify the current requirements with USCIS or with a specialist before filing.

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.