I have awards and work as a judge, but I have no exhibitions. What other criterion can I pursue for the EB-1?

Not having art exhibitions does not block your path to the EB-1. Under the extraordinary ability category, the petition is evaluated on a body of evidence showing recognition in your field, and several types of proof can take the place of exhibitions. Since you already have awards and serve as a judge of others’ work, the goal is to add one more strong type of evidence to your portfolio.

Among the paths that tend to be viable, depending on your profile, are:

• Original contributions of recognized significance in your field, such as methods, innovations, or influential works.
• Authorship of material widely disseminated or cited by other professionals in the area.
• A leading or critical role in prestigious organizations or associations that select members based on merit.

It is worth gathering robust, well-organized documentation that demonstrates the impact and authority of your work. Since each case is evaluated individually and the reading of the criteria can vary, review the updated USCIS guidelines and assess the best combination with 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.