I have 3 university awards and 1 mention in the campus magazine. Too local, right?

University awards and a campus magazine mention show genuine recognition, but in the EB-1, achievements of an academic and local scope tend to carry little weight on their own.

This is because the EB-1 looks for evidence of recognition with broad reach in the field, ideally national or international in character, or granted by prominent organizations with rigorous selection criteria. Local recognition can be part of the overall body of evidence, but typically plays a supporting role.

To strengthen your case, it helps to pair these achievements with other elements that extend the reach of your recognition, such as:

• Publications in reputable outlets and citations of your work.
• External distinctions, outside your academic or regional environment.
• Relevant contributions recognized within your field.
• Recommendation letters from recognized experts.

Each piece of evidence should help demonstrate your standing relative to other professionals in the field. Because the analysis is individual and conducted by USCIS, it is worth checking the updated requirements at the official source or with a specialist before filing.

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.