I work as a public speaking coach. I was invited to judge speech competitions. Does that count as ‘judge’?

Yes, serving as a judge in speech competitions can qualify under the EB-1 criterion that recognizes participation as a judge of others’ work in your field. What matters is not the English label, but what the activity demonstrates: that professionals and organizers recognize you as an authority to the point of inviting you to evaluate others’ work.

For the invitation to carry weight as evidence, it needs to be well documented and show that the judging role is tied to your reputation as an expert in public speaking and communication. Some elements that help support this:

• An official invitation letter or notice that clearly states your role as a judge.
• The context and significance of the competition or event where you served.
• Materials connecting that invitation to your standing as a recognized coach in the field.

Keep in mind that the EB-1 is assessed based on the totality of evidence, and each criterion typically stands as one of several that build the case. A single invitation rarely decides the outcome on its own, but adds value when well contextualized. Since each case is evaluated individually by USCIS, it is worth reviewing updated requirements at the official source and assessing your full body of evidence with 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.