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I won national sports awards, but it’s been 5 years. Does it still count?

National sports awards from 5 years ago can be accepted for the EB-1 if relevant, recognized, and part of a robust set of evidence demonstrating extraordinary excellence.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on June 27, 2025
2 min read
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For the EB-1 visa, which is aimed at individuals with extraordinary abilities, the quality and relevance of each piece of evidence are essential. Winning national sports awards can be a strong indicator of excellence, but it is important to analyze how those awards fit within the required criteria.

Even if they were won 5 years ago, your awards can still count, provided they are considered highly relevant in your sport and issued by institutions of recognized credibility. The core criterion of the EB-1 is to demonstrate that you have reached a level of excellence that stands out from your peers.

If the awards were granted by renowned organizations and symbolize national or international recognition, they can indeed be included in your petition, even with the passage of time. However, it is important to remember that the overall set of evidence presented must be robust.

Besides awards, other elements – such as participation in high-level events, publications, recent results, and expert recommendations – can help build a strong case. Every detail may be considered by immigration officers when evaluating whether you truly possess the extraordinary ability the EB-1 seeks to recognize.

I emphasize the importance of strictly following United States immigration laws and being cautious with information from unofficial sources. Always seek reliable sources and avoid falling for marketing campaigns that promise guaranteed results, as the process is complex and subject to detailed analysis of various factors.

I hope this information helps to clarify your question about the relevance of awards won five years ago in the context of the EB-1 visa.

Learn more about EB-1 Visa

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

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I won national sports awards, but it’s been 5 years. Does it still count?

National sports awards from 5 years ago can be accepted for the EB-1 if relevant, recognized, and part of a robust set of evidence demonstrating extraordinary excellence.

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