I served as a judge in startup competitions. Does it count?

It can count. Serving as a judge or reviewer of other professionals’ work is one of the types of evidence that EB-1 recognizes, because it signals that the community sees you as a qualified reference for assessing merit in your field.

For your experience judging startup competitions to carry weight, the key is demonstrating the relevance of the event and the seriousness of its selection process. It helps to document:

• The importance and reach of the competition within your industry.
• The criteria used to select judges (and why you were invited).
• Your concrete role in the evaluation, supported by invitations, rules, or records.

A single invitation to a small event tends to carry little weight on its own. The value grows when this experience connects to a consistent track record and appears alongside other achievements that reinforce your recognition in the field.

Since each case is evaluated individually by the authority, build a coherent portfolio and confirm the current criteria with USCIS 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.