Can I use awards and service as a ‘judge’ under the same EB-1 criterion?

In the EB-1 extraordinary ability category, receiving relevant awards and serving as a ‘judge’ (evaluating the work of others) fall under different criteria. In other words, you do not need to combine the two under a single criterion: each one can independently support a distinct criterion required in the evaluation.

The key point is not to use the same achievement twice. The practical rule is that each piece of evidence supports a specific criterion, without overlap.

• Awards demonstrate recognition for your own performance and results.
• Serving as a judge shows that peers recognize you to evaluate others’ work.
• Each document should make clear which criterion it supports.

Organizing your evidence this way, separated and without duplication, makes the petition clearer. Since every case is unique, it is worth checking the updated requirements at the official source (USCIS) or with a specialist before filing.

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Victoria Harper

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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.