In the EB-1A, can I use an award I won 10 years ago?

Yes, an award earned years ago can be part of your EB-1A petition. What matters is not the date itself, but whether the recognition remains relevant and prestigious in your field.

The EB-1A is the green card pathway for those who demonstrate extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Awards are one of the possible forms of evidence, but they count based on the weight they carry: the reputation of the award, the prestige of the granting body, and how clearly it signals genuine distinction in the field.

A recognition from a decade ago can still hold value if it continues to be cited, respected, and associated with impactful work. That said, it rarely sustains a petition on its own: the ideal approach is to combine it with other evidence, such as publications, press coverage, and expert letters.

Since each case is evaluated as a whole and on an individual basis, it is worth building a robust record and verifying the updated criteria with USCIS, ideally 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.