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Does serving on literary prize juries count as ‘judge’ for the EB-1?

Serving on a literary prize jury can count as the 'judge' criterion for the EB-1, if you demonstrate your role and the prize's prestige. See how to document this evidence.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 21, 2026
1 min read
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It can, yes. One of the criteria for the EB-1 is having served as a judge or evaluator (‘judge’) of the work of other professionals, and serving on a literary prize jury can fit that role, provided your function and the prize’s relevance are clearly demonstrated.

What strengthens this evidence is showing that your participation was not incidental, but the result of an invitation extended to you as a recognized authority or expert in the field. It also helps to show that the prize is significant, with a rigorous selection process and the involvement of other well-regarded evaluators.

  • Official invitations to serve on the jury.
  • Programs and materials documenting your role as an evaluator.
  • Proof of the prize’s prestige and reach within the literary community.

As always, this evidence carries weight within the overall portfolio, and each case is assessed individually by immigration authorities. It is worth reviewing the updated criteria and organizing your documentation 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 serving on literary prize juries count as ‘judge’ for the EB-1?

Serving on a literary prize jury can count as the 'judge' criterion for the EB-1, if you demonstrate your role and the prize's prestige. See how to document this evidence.

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