Does serving as a scientific journal editor count for EB-1A or EB-1B?

Serving as a scientific journal editor can count for both EB-1A and EB-1B, but with different weights. It is evidence of professional recognition, not a criterion that, on its own, approves a petition.

For EB-1A (extraordinary ability), participating on an editorial board or reviewing the work of others in your field is a classic type of evidence: it shows the community views you as someone qualified to judge the output of peers. It typically enters as one piece within a larger body of evidence of distinction.

For EB-1B (outstanding professors and researchers), editorial work serves as a complement to a consistent academic track record, alongside publications, citations, and institutional recognition. On its own, it is unlikely to sustain the category, which also presupposes a permanent offer from a qualifying institution in the United States.

• For EB-1A, the editorial role helps demonstrate peer recognition.
• For EB-1B, it adds to an academic history and a permanent offer.
• In both cases, the overall body of evidence carries more weight than any single item.

Since each profile is evaluated individually, it is worth checking updated requirements with USCIS and building your evidence strategy 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.