Is it mandatory to cite Kazarian in the petition?

No. There is no formal requirement to cite the name ‘Kazarian’ in an EB-1 petition. What matters is demonstrating, through evidence and solid argumentation, that you meet the extraordinary ability criteria required by the category.

That said, it is worth understanding the context: Kazarian is a precedent that has shaped how petitions in this category are typically analyzed, through a reading that separates the step of gathering evidence from the final evaluation of the overall case. Mentioning it explicitly is a matter of legal strategy, not an obligation.

Some practitioners prefer to anchor their arguments in established precedents; others structure the case differently, always grounding it in concrete documentation. Neither approach is inherently right or wrong: what determines the outcome is the strength and coherence of the evidence presented.

Because this involves case-by-case analysis and guidance that may change, confirm the current rules at the official source (USCIS) and discuss your strategy with a trusted immigration professional.

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.