I received awards from online forums. Are they credible?

In the EB-1, awards from online forums can count, but their credibility depends entirely on the source. What matters is not the award label itself, but the credibility of who granted it and its relevance to your field.

Before including these recognitions in your petition package, it is worth thoroughly researching the award. Ask yourself whether the forum is recognized in your field, who participates in the selection process, what the selection criteria are, and what audience is involved. An award from a little-known source tends to carry less weight, especially if it appears in isolation.

To properly evaluate and present this type of evidence, it helps to gather:

• Information about the organization that grants the award and its track record.
• The selection criteria and who makes up the panel or advisory board.
• Other evidence that corroborates your relevance in the field.

Since each piece of evidence is analyzed on a case-by-case basis, it is advisable to check the updated requirements with USCIS and, when in doubt, seek specialized support.

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.