Professional Society Fellows Overview

Overview

Guide to achieving Fellow status across professional societies. General strategies and documentation.

Application Guide

EB-1A Criterion #2 Explanation

EB-1A Criterion #2 requires membership in associations that demand outstanding achievements. USCIS looks for organizations requiring more than dues or coursework. The membership must require peer-reviewed achievements. IEEE Senior Member and ACM Distinguished Member typically meet this standard.

Key EB-1A Benefits

• Direct Evidence: This opportunity directly satisfies EB-1A criterion #2 requirements by providing documented evidence of membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements.
• 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

Memberships as Peer Recognition

Selective memberships demonstrate that experts have evaluated your achievements against rigorous standards. This peer evaluation is exactly what USCIS looks for under Criterion 2.

Evaluate whether membership requires demonstrated achievements, expert evaluation, organizational selectivity, and represents recognition of outstanding accomplishment. Basic memberships open to all don't qualify; senior grades often do.

Membership Progression

Many organizations offer tiered structures. IEEE has Member, Senior Member, and Fellow grades. ACM has Distinguished Member and Fellow. Plan progression strategically over several years.

Understand requirements for each level. Maintain active involvement through conferences and committees. Build relationships with senior members who can nominate you. Document achievements with certificates, letters, and acceptance statistics.

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: