Can I cite a single EB-1 criterion with 10 pieces of evidence? Is it worth it?

Yes, in principle you can concentrate multiple pieces of evidence on a single criterion of the EB-1. There is no prohibition against it: what matters is the strength and relevance of the overall body of evidence, not the number of items.

Gathering ten pieces of evidence around just one criterion can work when each item is robust and, taken together, clearly demonstrates an outstanding achievement. Weak or repetitive evidence, on the other hand, does not gain weight simply because there is a lot of it.

Even so, the most common strategy is to spread evidence across more than one criterion. This tends to make the case more cohesive and reduces the risk of the petition depending on a single angle:

• diversifying shows breadth of recognition;
• it prevents a weakness in one area from undermining the entire argument;
• it gives the adjudicator a more complete picture of your profile.

Since evaluation is done on a case-by-case basis, it is worth reviewing the current criteria with USCIS and, if possible, planning the assembly of your petition package with a specialist.

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.