I only have regional awards, not national ones. Does that hurt my case?

Having only regional awards does not hurt an EB-2 NIW petition. What the reviewing authority evaluates is not the label on the award, but how well the full body of your evidence demonstrates the merit and national importance of your work.

Awards with national or international reach tend to carry more weight when examined in isolation, but that does not cancel the value of regional recognition. It functions as one piece within a larger dossier, alongside publications, recommendation letters, patents, and other indicators of impact.

• A regional award adds to your supporting evidence; it does not disqualify your candidacy.
• What matters is the overall picture that proves merit and relevance.
• Each case is evaluated individually by the competent authority.

It is worth building a consistent dossier and, when possible, reviewing your strategy with a specialist to position each form of recognition in the best light. Always check the latest guidance at the official source (USCIS).

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.