Do non-Olympic sports qualify for EB-1A?

Yes. The EB-1A is the pathway for individuals with extraordinary ability and makes no distinction between Olympic and non-Olympic sports. What matters in the evaluation is the quality of the evidence demonstrating recognition and distinction in your field, not whether the sport is part of the Olympic program.

In practice, an athlete in a non-Olympic sport can present the same types of evidence used in any extraordinary ability petition:

• Awards and significant results recognized within the sport.
• Coverage in credible media outlets about you and your career.
• Performance records, records broken, or standout achievements in the sport.
• Service as a reference or judge for other athletes.

The assessment is holistic, looking at the relevance and consistency of recognition throughout your career. Each piece of evidence must be well substantiated, showing not only the achievement but why it matters within your sport. Since the evaluation is case by case, it is worth checking the current criteria on the official source (USCIS) and organizing your petition with the support of a specialist.

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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.