Do I need to meet all 10 criteria for the EB-1A?

No. For the EB-1A, you do not need to meet every criterion on the list. The category is designed for individuals with extraordinary ability, and the regulations provide two paths: demonstrating a one-time achievement of major internationally recognized distinction (such as a major award), or presenting a subset of the prescribed types of evidence.

These evidence types cover things like awards, published material about your work, original contributions of major significance, a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations, high remuneration relative to peers, and recognition by others in the field. The goal is not to check every box, but to show consistent and compelling signs of distinction in your area.

The evaluation is holistic: USCIS weighs the full body of evidence, and some elements may carry more weight than others depending on your profile and professional context. Counting checked criteria matters far less than the strength and coherence of the narrative your documentation builds.

Because the number of criteria required and how they are evaluated can change, it is worth confirming current rules with USCIS and building your strategy with a specialist, without relying on any promise of guaranteed approval.

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.