I have regional awards but no national ones. Which EB-1 criterion can I qualify under?

Regional awards do matter. In the EB-1, they can form part of your overall body of evidence, even though the specific awards criterion tends to place greater weight on recognition at the national or international level. The absence of a national award does not eliminate your case; it simply shifts the strategy for how you demonstrate distinction.

The category is evaluated holistically, across several possible criteria. If awards alone do not sustain the required level, the path forward is to reinforce them with other evidence that, taken together, shows broad recognition in your field.

• Awards with competitive selection and rigorous standards, even regional ones, when well contextualized.
• Publications, citations, and coverage in relevant media outlets.
• Leadership roles, participation as a reviewer, and other notable contributions.

The goal is to build a consistent picture of your relevance, rather than relying on a single item. To understand which criteria fit your profile, consult the updated USCIS guidelines and evaluate your strategy 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.