I have 2 state awards and 1 national one. Does that mean I meet ‘major prizes’?

In the EB-1, ‘major prizes’ are distinguished awards that demonstrate broad recognition in your field. The key factor is not the quantity of prizes, but rather the prestige, competitiveness, and relevance of each one.

Awards with national reach tend to carry more weight than state-level ones, precisely because of their broader scope and greater credibility. Even so, a national award is only strong if it is widely recognized and competitive in your field.

That does not mean state awards are irrelevant. They can form part of the overall body of evidence, showing consistent recognition throughout your career.

• Document the selection criteria and competitiveness of each award.
• Highlight the relevance of the organization granting the award.
• Combine the awards with other outstanding evidence in your field.

Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth checking the updated criteria at USCIS and consulting a specialist to assess the actual weight of your awards.

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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.