I won regional awards, but I was also featured on national TV. Does that count?

For the EB-1, the answer depends on the overall picture, but the combination you describe can indeed help. Regional awards alone tend to have limited reach when it comes to demonstrating the level of recognition required. Being featured on national TV, on the other hand, shows recognition on a broader scale.

When these two elements appear as part of a coherent trajectory, they complement each other: local recognition gains strength alongside national-level visibility. What matters is not the number of items, but how each piece of evidence connects to your contributions and your career in the field.

• Contextualize the regional awards within broader achievements.
• Document the reach and relevance of your national TV appearance.
• Build a narrative that ties the evidence to your professional trajectory.

Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth reviewing the current EB-1 criteria on the USCIS website or with a specialist to position each piece of evidence effectively.

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.