I received an honor medal at a military event, but it is not necessarily widely recognized. Can I use it for EB-1?

Yes, an honor medal received at a military event can be used as evidence in an EB-1 petition. It signals merit, but its weight in the analysis goes beyond the fact that you were awarded: what matters is how significant that recognition is within your field.

When evaluating an award, officers typically look at whether it is broadly recognized in the field, whether there is a rigorous selection process, and whether the achievement reflects a lasting and meaningful impact. A medal tied to a specific context can still count, as long as you demonstrate why it holds value beyond that environment.

To do so, it is worth gathering supplementary documentation that explains the prestige of the award, the competitiveness of the process, the reach of the recognition, and expert statements. This way, the medal moves beyond an isolated data point and becomes part of a consistent picture of distinction.

Since each case is evaluated individually, check the updated criteria on the USCIS website and, if possible, review your full body of evidence 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.