My thesis won the award for best in the department. This is something local. Does it count?

The EB-1 visa is aimed at professionals who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in their fields, and part of the evaluation involves presenting awards and recognitions that attest to this excellence. Every piece of evidence counts to compose the overall proof of your merit, but it’s important to understand how each recognition is assessed in the broader context.

In the case of having been awarded ‘best thesis in the department,’ this recognition shows a high level of performance within the academic scope of your institution. However, since it is a local award, the United States immigration authority may consider that it has a more limited scope.

For the EB-1, awards that have national or international recognition are usually valued, as these reflect a broader impact in your area. Therefore, the local award can be useful as part of the portfolio of evidence, but it is recommended that it be accompanied by other robust proofs demonstrating your extraordinary ability.

Documents showing the influence of your work on the scientific community, relevant publications, participation in critical evaluations of your field, as well as other awards and recognitions with wider scope, can strengthen your petition. It is worth remembering the importance of strictly following United States immigration laws and seeking support from reliable sources when preparing a case like this.

It is essential to be cautious about dubious offers or marketing campaigns promising guaranteed results, as the evaluation system is very rigorous and each case is assessed individually. I hope this explanation helps you understand how a local award can fit into the EB-1 evaluation. Every fact and recognition needs to be carefully documented to compose a strong petition, so gathering as much evidence as possible is always a good strategy.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.