My patent generated a royalty of US$1 per sale. If 2 million units were sold, that is US$2 million. Does it count?

The commercial success of your patent can, in fact, work in your favor in an EB-1 petition. Recurring royalties indicate that your invention has market value and that others have adopted it, which is a concrete signal of impact and recognition of your work.

Even so, the EB-1 is not decided by a single financial figure. The category evaluates extraordinary ability, meaning the overall body of evidence that demonstrates your prominence in the field. The patent earnings enter as one piece of that evidence, not as the sole criterion.

For the patent numbers to carry real weight, the best approach is to place them in a broader context:

• Document the contracts, licenses, and records that prove the royalties.
• Show how the invention was used and by whom, establishing its reach.
• Combine other evidence, such as awards, publications, and expert letters.

That way, the financial return becomes more than a standalone figure and supports the narrative of impact. Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth reviewing the updated criteria on the USCIS website and going over your strategy 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.