I received invitations to mentor at recognized incubators. Is that a ‘critical role’ or ‘judging’?

It depends on what you actually do. In the EB-1, mentoring at recognized incubators can align with either a ‘critical role’ or ‘judging’, depending on the formal nature of your activities. The title of mentor is not what matters, but the real work behind it.

The analysis typically follows this logic:

• If you guide, advise, and influence entrepreneurs because you are a recognized authority in your field, that supports your ‘critical role’, tied to authority and impact in the sector.
• If your function formally includes reviewing, selecting, or evaluating projects, companies, or ideas, it aligns with the role of ‘judge’ of others’ work.

Many people do both at the same time, and the same experience can support one criterion or the other depending on how you describe and document it. That is why it is worth recording each activity carefully: what you did, in what context, with what recognition, and what your specific role was.

Since each case is assessed individually by the competent authority, it is worth documenting carefully and checking updated requirements with an official source or 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.