Can regional awards count as ‘national’ in EB-1?

In EB-1, the awards criterion seeks national or international recognition, so a regional award does not always qualify on its own as ‘national.’ That said, there are nuances: in certain circumstances, a regional award can count when its impact extends beyond its geographic origin.

This tends to happen when the award has characteristics that bring it closer to broader recognition, such as:

• Being granted by an entity with national standing.
• Applying excellence criteria comparable to those of national awards.
• Carrying prestige and relevance recognized in its field.

In such cases, the regional award can form part of the overall body of evidence, provided it is accompanied by robust documentation that demonstrates its weight. On its own, it rarely equates to a national award, but combined with other elements, such as publications, committee participation, and mentions in specialized press, it can strengthen a petition.

Since the analysis is conducted on a case-by-case basis, it is worth reviewing the criteria on the USCIS website and seeking specialized guidance to show, consistently, why your regional award has reach beyond the region.

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.