I presented at 15 conferences. Does that help in the EB-1 final merits?

Presenting at 15 conferences can indeed contribute to an EB-1 petition, including at the final merits stage. However, the key factor is not the number of events, but rather how much those appearances demonstrate recognition and impact in your field.

The final merits is the stage where the adjudicating authority reviews your case as a whole, weighing the full body of evidence rather than tallying individual items. Conference presentations factor into that picture alongside other elements, such as awards, publications, and meaningful contributions.

What makes a difference, therefore, is how you contextualize those appearances: whether the events were well-regarded, whether you were invited based on your expertise, whether the audience was specialized, and whether the work presented had measurable reach. Presentations that demonstrate genuine contributions tend to carry more weight than a simple count.

Because each case is assessed individually, check the current criteria on the USCIS website and consider building that narrative with an immigration specialist.

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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.