My awards came from a local government agency. Do they count as local or national in EB-1?

In EB-1 petitions, the origin and scope of an award carry weight when building the evidence record. In general, awards with national or international reach tend to be stronger than those with a local scope, because they demonstrate recognition on a broader scale.

If your awards came from a local government agency, they will most likely be read as regional recognition rather than national. That does not eliminate their merit or significance, but it is a factor to keep in mind when assessing the overall picture of your case.

• Provide context for the award’s relevance and selectivity, even if it is local.
• Show whether it generated recognition or impact beyond the originating region.
• Pair it with other evidence of broader reach, such as publications and international engagements.

In short, local awards carry a more limited scope than national ones, but they can still contribute, especially within a robust body of achievements. Each case is evaluated individually, so it is worth confirming the current requirements through the official source or 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.