Can evidence of acting as a ‘judge’ include invitations to scholarship selection panels?

Yes, that is correct. In the EB-1, serving as an evaluator or ‘judge’ of others’ work is one of the recognized evidence categories, and invitations to participate in scholarship selection panels can fall under that group, as long as they demonstrate your expertise and the recognition you have received within your field’s community.

What transforms such an invitation into strong evidence is the context surrounding it. Being invited is not enough on its own: what matters is who extended the invitation, the weight of the institution or program, and what your participation required in terms of technical judgment.

To strengthen this type of evidence, it often helps to gather:

• The formal invitation and a description of your role on the panel or evaluation.
• Information about the institution, the program, and their relevance.
• Records confirming that you actually evaluated candidates or work submissions.

In this way, these invitations go beyond being a minor detail and instead reinforce the overall picture. Since each case is reviewed holistically, it is worth checking the updated guidance from USCIS or consulting with a specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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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.