My award was given by my city’s association. It’s quite small. Is it worth submitting?

Yes, you can submit an award given by your city’s association, but it is worth having realistic expectations about how much weight it carries. In the EB-1, what is evaluated is not simply whether you have an award, but rather the level of recognition it represents in your field.

A locally scoped award tends to function as supporting evidence rather than standalone proof of distinction. It strengthens your case when it appears within a broader body of material, alongside other elements that demonstrate consistent recognition:

• Awards or honors with wider reach in your field.
• Publications, citations, or relevant contributions.
• Letters from experts attesting to the impact of your work.

Each case is evaluated individually by the competent authority, which weighs the prestige of the award and the institution that granted it. For this reason, the best strategy is to build a diversified portfolio and verify the current requirements with the USCIS or 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.