Can I submit a TCC or unpublished thesis as a ‘publication’ for the EB-1?

In the EB-1, a TCC or thesis that has not gone through formal publication is unlikely to be accepted as a publication. This criterion typically refers to works disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, books, book chapters, or platforms recognized by the community in your field, precisely because the goal is to demonstrate broad, independent visibility and recognition.

Having relevant content in the work is not enough if it remained limited to an evaluation committee or an internal repository. The path forward is to give that output a genuinely published form.

• Adapt the material for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
• Publish it as an article, book chapter, or monograph with a recognized publisher.
• Gather evidence of the impact the published version has had in your field.

Until that happens, the work tends to carry more weight as supporting material than as central publication evidence. Each case is assessed individually, so confirm the current requirements with the official source (USCIS) or a qualified specialist before filing.

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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.