I won regional startup awards and was also featured in a national newspaper. Does that help?

Yes, both regional startup competition awards and a feature story in a nationally circulated newspaper can strengthen your EB-1 profile. One demonstrates recognized excellence within your industry; the other reflects visibility on a broader scale.

The EB-1 evaluates a robust body of evidence showing consistent recognition in your field. Each element carries more weight when you contextualize its relevance, for example:

• The prestige and reach of the regional awards within the startup ecosystem.
• The publication, date, and substance of the national press coverage.
• How these recognitions connect to the impact of your work.

On its own, each item tends to count for less than when combined with other forms of evidence, such as publications, participation in leading industry events, and proof of leadership or influence in the field.

Since each case is assessed individually, it is worth reviewing updated requirements with the USCIS and building your file with the support of a specialist.

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.