My thesis won a best-in-department award. That seems local. Does it count?

Yes, a best thesis in the department award can be included as evidence in your EB-1 petition, but it is important to understand the weight it typically carries. Because it is a locally scoped recognition, immigration authorities tend to view it as more limited than awards with national or international reach.

The EB-1 is designed for individuals who demonstrate extraordinary ability in their field, and the evaluation looks at the full body of evidence rather than any single item. A local academic award shows outstanding performance within your institution and, for that reason, works best as part of a broader portfolio rather than as standalone proof.

• It qualifies as supporting evidence, contributing to the overall picture of your merit.
• It tends to carry less weight than recognitions with national or international reach.
• It gains strength when accompanied by publications, citations, and other indicators of impact.

Each case is evaluated individually by the competent authority, so it is worth checking the updated criteria with USCIS and, if possible, reviewing your profile 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.