I am a member of a royal academy, but they did not thoroughly assess my merit. Is it valid for EB-1?

Being a member of an academy or association can, indeed, count as evidence in an EB-1 petition, but the value of that recognition depends on the rigor of the institution. The criterion carries more weight when the association requires outstanding achievement for membership, assessed by recognized experts.

If the academy did not conduct an in-depth review of your merit, the recognition tends to carry less weight. The USCIS examines each piece of evidence critically, and membership in organizations with undemanding entry criteria may not, on its own, demonstrate the level of excellence expected.

This does not invalidate your membership, but it does suggest that it should form part of a broader body of evidence, for example:

• Awards and relevant recognitions in your field.
• Publications and citations of your work.
• Other indicators of recognition by leaders in the field.

Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth checking the updated requirements on USCIS and, with a specialist, assessing how much this membership contributes and how to strengthen it with the rest of your dossier.

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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.