My partner and I invented this together. How do I cite it in the EB-1?

When an invention is developed in partnership, the right approach for the EB-1 is to cite it as a joint work, without concealing the co-authorship. Ideally, both names appear as inventors on the document or patent, making it clear that the creation was a shared effort, not an individual one.

When referencing the invention in your materials, state the joint authorship clearly and objectively. The real challenge lies elsewhere: the EB-1 evaluates your profile, so you need to show what your specific contribution was within the project, without overstating or erasing your partner’s role.

To support this, it helps to keep documentation that shows each person’s participation, such as:

• The patent or registration listing both names as inventors.
• Internal documents, meeting minutes, or technical records of the development process.
• Publications or demonstrations that detail your specific involvement.

Transparency and organization make the review easier. Since each case is unique, it is worth checking the latest guidance on the USCIS website and, if possible, aligning your presentation 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.