What should I do if I have no awards, publications, or judging experience?

Having no awards, publications, or judging experience does not, on its own, eliminate your chances with EB-1. The visa recognizes extraordinary ability through multiple types of evidence, and while those three elements are valued, they are not the only ones that count.

If they are not yet part of your record, it is worth exploring other angles that demonstrate the impact and recognition of your work, for example:

• Leadership roles in relevant projects or initiatives.
• Original contributions and innovations with measurable impact in your field.
• Letters from experts attesting to the significance of your work.
• Recognition by respected organizations and peers in your industry.

The goal is to build a coherent body of evidence that, taken together, shows a consolidated and influential career, even through paths other than awards and publications.

Because each case is evaluated individually, it is worth checking the current requirements with USCIS and designing the best 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.