Awards for Extraordinary Ability
Receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in your field of endeavor.
What USCIS Looks For
To satisfy Criterion #1, you must demonstrate receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in your field. The term "lesser" distinguishes these from one-time major achievements like the Nobel Prize or Olympic medals.
USCIS evaluates awards based on: the criteria for granting the award, the significance of the award, the number of recipients, and the prestige of the awarding organization.
What Awards Qualify for EB-1A?
Qualifying Awards
- • Industry awards from recognized professional organizations (Stevie Awards, Webby Awards)
- • Design awards with international recognition (Red Dot, iF Design Award)
- • Best paper awards at major conferences
- • National or international innovation prizes
- • Professional achievement awards with selective criteria
- • Government or foundation grants for excellence
✕What Doesn't Qualify
- • Internal company awards or employee recognition
- • Participation certificates or completion badges
- • Local or regional awards with limited scope
- • Awards available to anyone who applies
- • Self-nominated awards without expert evaluation
- • Academic honors based solely on GPA
Documentation Strategy
Essential Evidence for Each Award
- • Award certificate or official announcement - Original documents with your name
- • Selection criteria - How winners are chosen and by whom
- • Selectivity statistics - Number of applicants vs. recipients
- • Organization prestige - History and reputation of the awarding body
- • Past recipients - Notable previous winners demonstrating caliber
- • Media coverage - Press releases, news articles about the award
Pro Tip: Obtain a Supporting Letter
Request a letter from the awarding organization that explains: the selection criteria, the number of applicants, the evaluation process, and why your work was recognized. This letter provides authoritative context that strengthens your petition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Insufficient Scope Documentation
Many applicants fail to prove their award has national or international recognition. Always include evidence of the award's geographic scope and industry reach.
Mistake #2: Missing Selection Criteria
USCIS wants to see how winners are selected. If you can't document the evaluation process and criteria, the award may not qualify.
Mistake #3: Team Awards Without Individual Recognition
If you received a team award, you must demonstrate your specific contribution and that you played a leading or critical role in earning the recognition.
Award Opportunities for EB-1A
Explore these verified award opportunities that can strengthen your EB-1A petition. Each has been evaluated for EB-1A relevance and proper documentation availability.
American Business Awards (Stevies)
Stevie Awards
Globee Awards
Globee
Red Dot Design Award
Red Dot
iF Design Award
iF International Forum Design
Webby Awards
International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences
Awwwards
Awwwards
MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35
MIT Technology Review
TechCrunch Startup Battlefield
TechCrunch
Forbes 30 Under 30
Forbes
CSS Design Awards
CSS Design Awards
Product Hunt Golden Kitty Awards
Product Hunt
D&AD Awards
D&AD
Clio Awards
Clio
Fast Company World Changing Ideas
Fast Company
Apple Design Awards
Apple
Google Play Best of Awards
Building Your Award Portfolio
A strong EB-1A case often includes multiple awards from different organizations and time periods. This demonstrates sustained recognition of excellence, not just a one-time achievement.
Strategic approach: Start by identifying awards in your field that you might realistically win. Research past recipients to assess competitiveness. Apply strategically and document everything from the moment you receive recognition.
Quality over quantity: Three well-documented, prestigious awards are more valuable than ten minor recognitions. Focus on awards where you can demonstrate national or international scope and selective evaluation criteria.
Explore Other EB-1A Criteria
Awards are just one of 10 criteria. Build a comprehensive case by satisfying multiple criteria.
Legal Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and requirements change frequently. Consult a qualified immigration attorney for advice specific to your situation before making any decisions.