Forbes 30 Under 30
Forbes
Overview
Annual lists honoring the brightest young entrepreneurs, innovators, and game changers across various industries.
Application Guide
Prerequisites
- Age under 30 at time of nomination
- Significant professional achievements
- Leadership or innovation in your field
- Nomination by third party or self-nomination
Success Tips
- Apply to the most relevant industry category
- Provide concrete metrics and achievements
- Get nominations from previous Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees
- Highlight unique impact or innovation
- Submit well before deadline
EB-1A Criterion #1 Explanation
EB-1A Criterion #1 requires evidence of nationally or internationally recognized awards. USCIS evaluates the selection criteria, significance, number of recipients, and the awarding organization's prominence. The award should demonstrate you've risen above peers in your field.
Documentation Strategy
Proper documentation is critical for a successful EB-1A petition. For this opportunity, focus on collecting and preserving the following types of evidence:
- Save Forbes.com profile page
- Archive print edition if featured
- Document the selection criteria and competition
- Track media coverage following the announcement
- Keep records of networking and opportunities from the recognition
Key EB-1A Benefits
- Direct Evidence: This opportunity directly satisfies EB-1A criterion #1 requirements by providing documented evidence of nationally or internationally recognized awards.
- Professional Recognition: With an EB-1A utility score of 9/10, this opportunity is highly prestigious and widely recognized by USCIS adjudicators as strong evidence of extraordinary ability.
- Sustained Achievement: Participating in this opportunity demonstrates continued excellence in your field over time, which is essential for establishing the sustained national or international acclaim that USCIS requires for EB-1A approval.
Strategic Guidance for Success
Selecting Strategic Awards
Focus on awards with selective criteria and national or international recognition. Industry awards, professional society honors, and government-sponsored awards typically qualify. Avoid local awards or participation certificates. The award should show you were selected from a competitive pool.
Building Your Portfolio
Apply strategically for awards that match your achievements. Research past recipients to assess competitiveness. Multiple awards across years and organizations demonstrate sustained excellence. This strengthens your EB-1A narrative.
Documentation Tips
Prepare comprehensive documentation: certificates, media coverage, past recipients list, selection criteria, applicant statistics, and monetary benefits. Get letters from the awarding organization explaining selectivity and significance.
Award Prestige Standards
Awards provide third-party validation of excellence. USCIS evaluates the national or international scope, selection rigor, organization reputation, competitiveness, and professional recognition associated with awards.
Document each award with context: history, past recipients, selection criteria, applicant statistics, and media coverage. Letters from awarding organizations explaining significance are particularly valuable.
Building Your Award Portfolio
Successful EB-1A applicants often accumulate multiple awards over years. Research awards relevant to your field and assess your competitiveness. Industry awards, professional recognitions, and innovation prizes all potentially qualify.
Apply strategically. Start with achievable awards, then use those to strengthen applications for more prestigious ones. Build relationships for peer nominations. Document everything from the moment you receive recognition.
Key Success Factors
To maximize your chances of success with this opportunity and strengthen your EB-1A petition, focus on the following factors that USCIS adjudicators and the Forbes evaluate when considering applicants:
- Strong alignment between your achievements and award criteria
- Compelling materials highlighting your impact
- Evidence of sustained excellence over time
- Peer recognition and endorsement letters
- Track record of previous recognition
Building Your EB-1A Case
Requirements
EB-1A requires evidence of extraordinary ability through sustained acclaim. You must satisfy at least 3 of 10 USCIS criteria. Each opportunity in our database is evaluated for EB-1A relevance.
Quality Over Quantity
USCIS evaluates significance and impact, not just activity count. One prestigious recognition can outweigh many minor achievements. Document everything: selection process, organization prestige, and impact on your field.
Strategic Planning
- • Building a case typically takes multiple years
- • Start early and pursue opportunities strategically
- • Maintain detailed records of all achievements
- • Consider working with an immigration attorney
EB-1A Advantages
- • No job offer required
- • No labor certification needed
- • Faster processing times
- • Premium processing available
Compare Related Opportunities
Consider these related opportunities to diversify your EB-1A evidence portfolio and demonstrate sustained excellence across multiple venues:
| Opportunity | Difficulty | Time | EB-1A Value |
|---|---|---|---|
Forbes 30 Under 30 (Current) Forbes | Hard | Varies | 9/10 |
| American Business Awards (Stevies) Stevie Awards | Moderate | Varies | 8/10 |
| Globee Awards Globee | Moderate | Varies | 7/10 |
| Red Dot Design Award Red Dot | Hard | Varies | 10/10 |
Evidence Checklist for EB-1A
Collect and preserve these documents to strengthen your EB-1A petition with evidence from Forbes 30 Under 30.
Documents to Save
- Original award certificate, trophy photo, or medal
- Official announcement or press release
- Award ceremony program or event materials
- Selection criteria and judging rubric
- Statistics on number of applicants vs. winners
How to Obtain Evidence
- Request letter from awarding organization explaining significance
- Gather media coverage of the award announcement
- Collect list of past recipients to show caliber of honorees
- Obtain documentation of the award's history and reputation
Backup Strategy
- Save PDFs of award website and winner announcements
- Archive all correspondence with award organizers
- Screenshot social media posts about your win
- Document any monetary benefits or prizes received
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a participant in Forbes 30 Under 30?
Is Forbes 30 Under 30 good for EB-1A applications?
What evidence do I need from Forbes 30 Under 30 for EB-1A?
What makes Forbes 30 Under 30 qualify as a nationally recognized award?
What does Forbes 30 Under 30 cost?
EB1Abooster Research Team
Immigration strategy researchers with 5+ years experience analyzing EB-1A cases and identifying qualifying opportunities.
Last verified: 2026-01-04
Official Sources
Last updated: 2026-01-04
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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.