I won national sports awards, but it was 5 years ago. Does it still count?

Yes, national sports awards can still count toward the EB-1 even if you earned them five years ago. What matters is not only when you won them, but the prestige they carry and what they represent in your career trajectory.

The EB-1 aims to demonstrate a level of excellence that sets you apart from your peers. Awards granted by recognized organizations with national or international reach remain valid evidence of distinction, even if they are not recent.

Because the overall body of evidence needs to be robust, it helps to pair those awards with elements that update and reinforce the picture:

• More recent results, competitions, or milestones in your career.
• Media coverage, publications, or participation in high-level events.
• Expert letters that contextualize the significance of your achievements.

Since each case is evaluated individually, verify the current criteria with USCIS or assess your profile with a specialist to best position your earlier awards.

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.