I received a medal of honor from my country’s parliament. Does that count as national recognition?

Generally, yes. A medal of honor granted by parliament tends to carry a national character, since it comes from an institution with national reach and high representativeness. In the context of EB-1, however, the national label is only the starting point: what truly matters is being able to demonstrate the prestige and recognition associated with that honor.

The extraordinary ability category values awards and distinctions that serve as a clear indicator of excellence in your field. An official medal helps build that argument, but it gains strength when you show the criteria behind the award, who grants it, and the impact it has had.

• Explain the nature of the honor and what it recognizes.
• Gather materials that evidence its prestige (rules, coverage, context).
• Combine the medal with other proof of your professional impact.

Since each case is evaluated individually, the best approach is to present the honor as part of a coherent body of evidence and confirm the current criteria with the USCIS or 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.