I’m a designer who sold work on Etsy. Does that count as ‘commercial success’ in the EB-1?

It can, yes. In the EB-1, the ‘commercial success’ criterion looks at whether your work is recognized and sought after in the marketplace. Selling on Etsy can contribute to this point, as long as you can document the commercial relevance and the demand for what you create.

What matters is not just the number of sales, but the quality of recognition and the impact your work has had in the design field. Certain elements tend to strengthen this criterion:

• a consistent track record of sales and positive reviews;
• press coverage, awards, or mentions of your work;
• partnerships or collaborations with recognized brands and publications.

The ideal approach is to build a robust portfolio in which Etsy sales serve as one indicator, alongside other evidence of prestige and recognition in the field.

Since USCIS evaluates each case individually, it is worth verifying the current requirements and assembling your documentation 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.