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Does ‘Employee of the Month’ count as a national award for the EB-1?

'Employee of the Month' is an internal recognition and rarely qualifies as a national award for the EB-1. Learn what type of distinction truly carries weight and how to position yours.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 20, 2026
1 min read
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In the EB-1, awards that help demonstrate outstanding achievement are typically recognitions granted by entities with broad public prominence, at the national or international level. For this reason, an ‘Employee of the Month’ recognition, which is an internal company award, is generally not considered a national award in this type of evaluation.

That does not mean the achievement is irrelevant. It can be included in the broader narrative of your career, as long as it is supported by stronger evidence.

  • Awards or distinctions granted by organizations recognized beyond the company.
  • Publications, press coverage, or notable appearances.
  • A consistent track record of exceptional performance in your field.

Relying solely on an internal recognition is unlikely to meet the more demanding criteria of the visa. Since every case is unique, it is worth checking the updated requirements from the official source (USCIS) or with a specialist before filing.

Learn more about EB-1

Category
EB-1 Green Card (1st priority)
Requirement
Extraordinary ability
Self-petition
Allowed (no sponsor needed)
Processing
6-18 months
All about EB-1

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.

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Does ‘Employee of the Month’ count as a national award for the EB-1?

'Employee of the Month' is an internal recognition and rarely qualifies as a national award for the EB-1. Learn what type of distinction truly carries weight and how to position yours.

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