My thesis won a local award but gained recognition across my country. Does that count for EB-1?

In the EB-1 extraordinary ability category, awards are one type of evidence, and a locally scoped award can be part of your overall package, especially if you can show it had reach beyond the local level. If your thesis earned recognition across your country, that broader impact is exactly what helps give the award more weight.

The key is demonstrating the relevance of the recognition, not just the ‘local’ label. A single award rarely stands on its own, but when supported by evidence of its impact (coverage, citations, use of your work by others), it reinforces the picture of a contribution that stood out.

To strengthen this type of evidence, it helps to gather:

• Documentation of the award and the criteria under which it was granted.
• Evidence of the thesis’s reach beyond the local scope.
• Other materials showing the impact of your work in the field.

Since each case is evaluated as a whole and on its own merits, combining the award with other proof of recognition strengthens your petition. Before filing, check the updated requirements on the USCIS website and review the strength of your materials with an immigration 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.