I served as an advisor on a government committee. Does that count as a critical role in EB-1?

It can count, depending on what the role actually involved. In EB-1, what defines a critical role is not the title itself, but the relevance, responsibility, and impact of your contribution. An advisor on a government committee may qualify, as long as that is well demonstrated.

The weight of the experience grows when you show that your work influenced strategic decisions or the development of policies, not merely that you held a seat. Documentation is what sustains the argument:

• Letters from officials or colleagues describing your responsibilities.
• Committee records and decisions in which you played an active part.
• References in publications or specialized media covering that work.

Even roles that appear modest can stand out when there is a clear record of contribution and recognition. Since each case is assessed individually by the authorities, it is worth verifying the current criteria and organizing your 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.