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I was invited to judge regional competitions. Does that count as ‘judge’?

Judging competitions can strengthen an EB-1 petition under the 'judge' criterion, but what matters is the relevance of the events and your role, not the number of invitations. See how to document it.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 21, 2026
1 min read
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Being invited to evaluate the work of other professionals is precisely the type of activity that EB-1 recognizes as a sign of distinction in the field. Judging competitions can, in fact, support this criterion, known as the ‘judge’ role.

What matters is not the number of invitations, but rather the relevance of what was judged and your role in it. The competent authority typically looks at whether the events carry recognition in the field and whether your participation genuinely reflects the position of an expert evaluating peers.

  • Official letters or invitations that formalize the request to judge.
  • Programs and materials showing the nature and scope of the competitions.
  • Public recognition that helps establish the significance of the events.

Gathering this documentation helps connect the activity to the criterion. Since the analysis is case by case, it is worth verifying the updated requirements and reviewing your materials with a specialist before filing.

Learn more about EB-1

Category
EB-1 Green Card (1st priority)
Requirement
Extraordinary ability
Self-petition
Allowed (no sponsor needed)
Processing
6-18 months
All about EB-1

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.

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I was invited to judge regional competitions. Does that count as ‘judge’?

Judging competitions can strengthen an EB-1 petition under the 'judge' criterion, but what matters is the relevance of the events and your role, not the number of invitations. See how to document it.

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