I was chairman of an international conference. Does that count as ‘judge’ or ‘leading role’?

In the EB-1, having served as chairman of an international conference typically aligns more closely with a leadership function, known as a ‘leading role’, rather than with the function of evaluating the work of other professionals, which is the ‘judge’ criterion. Presiding over an event signals responsibility for the organization, direction, and credibility of the conference.

The distinction matters because each type of evidence tells a different story about your role. The ‘judge’ criterion typically refers to evaluating others’ work, such as reviewing submissions or serving on a judging panel. The ‘leading role’ speaks to a position of prominence and influence within a relevant organization or event.

The final classification does not depend on the title itself, but on what you actually did and how it is documented:

• The actual scope of your responsibilities as chairman.
• The relevance and reach of the conference in your field.
• Letters and records confirming your influence over the event.

Since the assessment is made on a case-by-case basis, it is worth reviewing the current requirements with the USCIS and organizing your evidence with the support of a specialist.

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Victoria Harper

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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.