A local contest gave me a trophy and $5,000. Does that count as a ‘major’ award?

A prize from a local contest, even one that comes with a trophy and a cash award, is unlikely to be treated as a ‘major award’ under EB-1 on its own. This category, designed for those with extraordinary ability, values recognition with national or international reach in the field.

That does not mean the achievement is irrelevant. It can be included as supporting evidence, helping to build the picture of your career trajectory, but it tends to carry limited weight when its reach is confined to a city or region and there is no recognition from specialists outside that context.

What typically strengthens a prize is the reputation of the granting organization, the competitiveness of the selection process, and the impact of the recognition within the field. A regional award can gain relevance when combined with other evidence, such as publications, qualified media coverage, expert letters, and recognized contributions.

• Awards with only local reach tend to serve as supporting evidence, not as a standalone basis.
• The prestige of the granting organization and the scope of the recognition matter more than the cash value.
• Each case is evaluated as a whole, not on any single item.

Since the analysis is conducted on a case-by-case basis by the relevant authority, it is worth checking the updated criteria at the official source (USCIS) and reviewing your full profile with a specialist before filing.

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.