EB-1B: proving 3 years of teaching experience, but 2 were as a TA during a master’s degree. Does it count?

The EB-1B is the immigrant category for outstanding professors and researchers, and one of its core requirements is demonstrating a consistent track record of teaching or research experience at the university level. A common question is whether time spent as a Teaching Assistant (TA) during a master’s program counts toward that experience.

The short answer is: it can count, provided the TA role involved genuinely instructional responsibilities. What tends to be weighted most is autonomy and accountability over teaching activities, such as leading classes, conducting course sections, grading students, or coordinating academic work, rather than simply providing administrative support or occasionally assisting the lead instructor.

To strengthen this type of experience, it helps to gather evidence that clearly describes your role:

• Letters from the institution detailing your duties and level of responsibility.
• Records of the courses, sections, or projects you led.
• Evaluations, syllabi, or statements confirming instructional involvement, not merely support.

Because immigration authorities tend to expect experience of a full, professional nature, the more closely your TA period reflects that standard, the stronger the documentation. Since this is a case-by-case assessment, it is worth reviewing the current requirements on the USCIS website and evaluating your documentation 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.