For the EB-1A, do I need to be the first author on publications?

No. Under the EB-1A, the category for individuals with extraordinary ability, there is no requirement that you be the first author of your publications. What the category evaluates is whether your work had real impact and whether you are recognized as a standout in your field.

This means that your position in the author list matters less than the substance of your contribution. A co-author who can clearly demonstrate their specific role and the significance of the results may have a case just as strong as a first author’s.

Since publications are assessed as part of your overall record, the following tend to strengthen a petition:

• Evidence of the impact of your work, such as citations and use by other researchers.
• Recommendation letters that describe your specific contribution.
• Presentations at leading conferences and participation in relevant projects.

In other words, more than your position on a paper, what matters is showing the quality and influence of what you produced. Because each case is reviewed individually, it is worth confirming the current requirements at the official source (USCIS) and organizing your evidence with the support of a specialist.

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.