Can I use awards won in online illustration competitions?

Yes, you can use awards won in online illustration competitions for the O-1. The online format does not disqualify the award; what matters is that it demonstrates your talent was recognized in a meaningful way within your field.

The weight of an award comes from its prestige and reach, not from whether it took place in person or online. Awards with national or international relevance, granted by respected organizations, help support the case for extraordinary recognition.

To strengthen this evidence, it is worth documenting each award carefully:

• Who organizes the competition and what its reputation is in the field.
• The level of competition and the selection criteria.
• Certificates, publications, or mentions in media outlets.
• How the award impacted your career.

The clearer the prestige of the award, the stronger the evidence. If you are unsure how to present these achievements, it is worth gathering your documentation and checking the updated guidelines on the USCIS website or 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.