Does voluntary consulting for companies count as ‘judge’ in the EB-1?

In the EB-1, acting as a ‘judge’ (evaluating the work of other professionals) is one of the evidence criteria for extraordinary ability. Voluntary consulting for companies may qualify under this criterion, but only when there is a clear connection between your role and the act of evaluating third-party contributions.

This criterion typically materializes in situations such as serving on evaluation panels, reviewing technical or scientific work, or judging candidates and projects by invitation based on your expertise. The central point is having been called upon to judge, not merely to collaborate or advise.

If your voluntary work genuinely included evaluating the work of others, what makes a difference is thoroughly documenting that role, for example with:

• Letters describing your evaluation function and why you were chosen.
• Invitations or participation certificates from panels, review boards, or peer reviews.
• Reports or records detailing what you evaluated.

Because the analysis depends on how your role is interpreted, it is worth checking the criteria on the USCIS website and seeking specialized support to frame your experience correctly.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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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.