For EB-1B, do reviews of 5 Q1 articles suffice for ‘participation as judge’?

In the EB-1B category (outstanding professors and researchers), participation as judge means demonstrating that you evaluated the work of other professionals in your field, which helps establish recognition and a distinguished standing in the academic community. Reviewing five Q1 articles is a good indicator of expertise, but there is no official number set by USCIS that makes a certain quantity of reviews automatically sufficient.

What truly matters is the quality, context, and formal documentation of that activity, rather than a simple count. It helps to document, for example:

• Official invitations to review, identifying the journal and the editor.
• Records from the review platform or letters confirming your participation.
• Letters from colleagues or editors explaining the significance of your role as a reviewer.

It is also worth keeping in mind that participation as judge is typically just one of several criteria presented, and the case gains strength when combined with other evidence of international reputation. Since the evaluation is made on an individual basis by USCIS, it is advisable to confirm the current criteria directly with USCIS and build your documentation with the support of a specialist.

About the author

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.