I have served as a judge for local award competitions. Does that count for the O-1?

Yes, having served as an awards judge can count as evidence in an O-1 petition. Evaluating the work of other professionals signals that your peers and the field recognize your expertise and standing, which helps support a claim of extraordinary ability.

The O-1 is the visa category for individuals with outstanding achievement in fields such as sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, and the review is based on the overall body of evidence presented. No single item decides the case: each piece of evidence contributes to a coherent portfolio.

The weight of a judging role varies depending on context. It tends to carry more significance when:

• The award or competition has established recognition within your field.
• The participation was publicly announced or can be verified with documentation.
• It connects to other strong evidence in your record.

If the judging role was at lower-profile award events, it can still help, but with more limited impact. Ideally, it should be combined with other elements such as awards, publications, and expert letters. When in doubt, review your portfolio with a professional and confirm current requirements with 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.