I participate in regional fairs. Nothing national. Can I qualify for EB-1A?

The EB-1A is the green card pathway for extraordinary ability, and the standard it requires is high: applicants must demonstrate recognition on a national or international scale, above what is seen in most professionals in their field. A track record built solely on regional fairs will rarely sustain a petition on its own.

That does not mean your regional work has no value. It can be part of the overall picture, as long as you have other evidence showing reach and influence beyond the local level, for example:

• Publications and work with impact in your field.
• Prestigious awards or distinctions.
• Coverage in prominent outlets.
• Letters from nationally and internationally recognized experts.

The key is connecting your achievements to a broad standard of excellence, not to a purely local circuit. Each petition is evaluated individually, and the reading of the evidence can vary from case to case.

If your profile is primarily regional today, it is worth mapping what can expand that reach and reviewing the updated criteria with USCIS, ideally with the support of 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.