Can I include awards I received in school 15 years ago?

You can include them, but it is worth keeping realistic expectations about how much weight those awards carry. In the EB-1, old school prizes tend to count for little, because the review focuses on recognition and impact throughout your professional career, not on isolated achievements from the past.

These awards may add value when they are part of a continuous track record of accomplishments and leadership, showing a consistent progression. Even so, the core of your case should be your most recent and significant achievements in your field.

• Old awards serve as background context, not as primary evidence.
• What matters is the current recognition and impact of your work.
• Pair them with relevant publications, speaking engagements, and recommendation letters.

Since each case is evaluated as a whole, it is worth checking the current criteria with USCIS and building your strategy with the support of 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.