I have participated in international events but have no awards. What now?

Having no awards does not disqualify you from the O-1. Awards are just one of several ways to demonstrate recognition, and your participation in international events can work in your favor when it is well documented.

What matters is showing the significance of those events and the impact of your work within them. To do that, gather evidence that puts your contributions in context, such as:

• Participation certificates and invitations to the events.
• Recommendation letters from recognized experts in your field.
• Publications, media coverage, and testimonials about your contributions.

A successful petition does not depend on a single document but on the overall picture of your track record. Each case is evaluated individually, so the more consistent and organized your dossier, the better it reflects your career. It is worth checking the updated requirements with USCIS and working with a qualified specialist to build your evidence package.

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.