My students won scientific olympiads. Does that help with the EB-1?

It can help, but only indirectly. The EB-1 extraordinary ability category evaluates the accomplishments of the petitioner, not those of third parties. Your students’ achievements alone are not enough to support the petition.

The path forward is to use those results as evidence of the impact of your work. If you are an educator or researcher, your students’ performance can reinforce your influence in the field, provided you demonstrate that their achievements are a direct result of your mentorship and leadership.

• Clearly connect your students’ results to your own role and teaching methods.
• Document your involvement in their preparation and ongoing guidance.
• Combine that with your own evidence, such as awards, publications, and participation in evaluation committees.

Because each case is assessed individually, it is worth reviewing the current criteria with USCIS or a qualified specialist to understand how this background fits your overall profile.

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.