I acquired citizenship in another country before. Does it affect EB-1?

Acquiring citizenship in another country before filing a petition does not, in itself, affect your eligibility for EB-1. This category is based on merit, not on nationality or the number of citizenships you hold: what matters is demonstrating the level of achievement required in your field.

EB-1 covers profiles of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives and managers. In all of them, the analysis centers on your accomplishments and the impact of your work, supported by evidence such as awards, publications, peer recognition, and relevant contributions.

Holding more than one citizenship may have practical effects at stages such as consular processing or the choice of country of residence for parts of the application, but that is different from being a disqualifying criterion. Dual citizenship is not a negative factor in the merit evaluation.

Because every case has its own particularities, it is worth organizing your documentation carefully and, if you have questions about your specific situation, checking the official guidance from USCIS or speaking with a specialist before you file.

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.