Can I cite awards from my teenage years?

Yes. You can cite awards from your teenage years in an EB-1 petition, as long as they are relevant and help demonstrate the exceptional merit you have continued to build.

The EB-1 is designed for individuals with extraordinary ability in fields such as science, arts, education, business, or athletics, and each piece of evidence should reinforce a consistent track record of excellence. In general, the reviewing authority gives more weight to awards and achievements from your adult career that are closely tied to your area of expertise.

If your teenage recognitions mark the beginning of that trajectory or connect to later accomplishments, they can be included as a complementary element of the petition, even if they are unlikely to be the centerpiece.

What matters most is assembling a robust and coherent body of documentation. To assess what strengthens your profile, review the official USCIS guidelines or consult a qualified immigration professional.

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.