I won 2 sports awards and served as 1 judge, but have zero media coverage. Am I missing 1 criterion?

The EB-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary abilities requires the applicant to submit significant evidence in at least three of the criteria established by USCIS. Generally, these criteria include highly relevant awards, participation as a judge (to evaluate others’ work in the field), publications about your work in the media, among others.

In your case, having two sports awards may fulfill one criterion – provided these awards are recognized nationally or internationally – and serving as a judge can satisfy another. The lack of ‘media coverage’ means that, indeed, you have not presented evidence for the criterion involving wide dissemination of your work or achievements through the media.

This may indicate that, yes, you are missing one more criterion for your application to meet the minimum requirements, considering it is necessary to prove at least three among the various available criteria. It is important to remember that even when meeting three or more criteria, all documentation must consistently and robustly demonstrate your extraordinary ability in the field.

Each piece of evidence needs to be relevant and evaluated together with the other elements presented. Given this, I recommend caution and seeking specialized guidance in the area of U.S. immigration to ensure all evidence aligns with the parameters stipulated by the laws. This way, you avoid risks arising from incomplete information or inadequate guidance.

Always look for reliable sources and specialized attorneys and avoid marketing proposals or campaigns that guarantee results without proper legal backing.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.