For EB-1B, I only have 1 paper. Is that enough?

It depends far less on quantity and far more on weight. In the EB-1B category, designed for outstanding professors and researchers, a single paper can be a genuine asset if it is a work of real impact, widely cited and influential in its field. What the review looks for is not a publication count, but evidence of sustained international recognition.

Even so, building a petition on a single publication tends to be risky. For many adjudicators, one isolated item conveys a less robust trajectory than a body of contributions. The best approach is to use that paper as an anchor and support it with additional evidence of your distinction:

• Citations of your work and signs of its influence in the field.
• Participation in editorial boards, peer review, or dissertation committees.
• Awards, honors, and relevant invitations.
• Original contributions and projects of recognized importance.

A limited publication record does not automatically doom the petition, as long as the overall picture tells a coherent story of excellence. Because each case is assessed individually, it is worth building a solid body of supporting documentation and reviewing the current requirements on the USCIS website or 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.