I volunteer as a journal reviewer. Does it still count as a judge?

Yes, volunteering as a journal reviewer can count as acting as a judge in the EB-1 category, meaning it qualifies as evaluating the work of other professionals in your field. The fact that the role is unpaid does not disqualify the experience: what matters is the nature and relevance of the role you performed.

This criterion aims to show that you are recognized to the extent that you are invited to evaluate the work of your peers. With that in mind, certain factors strengthen this type of evidence:

• Having been invited by a journal or institution of recognized standing.
• Demonstrating that the review required genuine expertise and rigorous evaluation standards.
• Documenting the invitation, the function, and the nature of the work reviewed.

The strategic point is to gather evidence showing that your role amounted to a legitimate professional evaluation, not a casual collaboration. A well-documented review in a respected publication carries more weight than multiple undocumented participations.

Since each case is assessed individually, it is worth checking the current criteria with USCIS and seeking specialized guidance on how to position this evidence within the overall body of your petition.

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.