Does an open association, where anyone can pay a fee and join, count for the EB-1A?

No. For the EB-1A, membership in associations only works as evidence of extraordinary ability when the organization is genuinely selective, meaning it admits members based on outstanding achievements evaluated by recognized experts in the field. An open association, where paying a fee is all it takes to join, does not carry that weight.

The reasoning is straightforward: the purpose of this criterion is to show that qualified peers have recognized your merit. If anyone can join without going through any evaluation, membership does not distinguish the applicant or demonstrate recognition in the field.

That does not mean the association is useless in the overall case. It may help paint a picture of your professional involvement, but it is unlikely to sustain the membership criterion on its own.

• An association that selects based on demonstrated merit counts for far more than one that simply charges an open fee.
• The admission evaluation is carried out by peers or field experts, not by payment.
• Each piece of evidence is analyzed as a whole, on a case-by-case basis, by the competent authority.

Since EB-1A criteria are assessed individually, it is worth checking the updated requirements at the official source (USCIS) and reviewing your profile with a specialist before filing.

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.