Criterion 1: Awards
Have you received nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in your field?
Last reviewed against the USCIS Policy Manual on
This is one of the 8 evidentiary criteria in 8 CFR 214.2(o)(3)(iii)(B)(1). USCIS looks for evidence under at least 3 of them (or a major internationally recognized award), then weighs all the evidence together.
What the USCIS Policy Manual says
Criterion 1: Documentation of the beneficiary’s receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor. First, USCIS determines whether the person was the recipient of prizes or awards in the field of endeavor. A person may rely on a team award, provided the person is one of the recipients of the award. Second, USCIS determines whether the award is a lesser nationally or internationally recognized prize or award which the beneficiary received for excellence in the field of endeavor. This criterion does not require an award or prize to have the same level of recognition and prestige associated with the Nobel Prize or another award that would qualify as a one-time achievement, nor does it require an award or prize to be received at an advanced stage of the beneficiary’s career. Examples of relevant evidence may include, but are not limited to: - Awards from well-known national institutions and well-known professional associations; - Certain doctoral dissertation awards and scholarships; and - Certain awards recognizing presentations at nationally or internationally recognized conferences. Considerations: Relevant considerations include, but are not limited to: - The criteria used to grant the awards or prizes; - The national or international significance of the awards or prizes in the field; - The number of awardees or prize recipients; and - Limitations on eligible competitors. While many scholastic awards do not demonstrate the requisite level of recognition, there may be some that are nationally or internationally recognized as awards for excellence such that they may satisfy the requirements of this criterion. For example, an award available only to persons within a single locality, employer, or school may have little national or international recognition, while an award open to members of a well-known national institution (including an R1 or R2 doctoral university) or professional organization may be nationally recognized.
Quotes are word for word from the USCIS Policy Manual. Practitioner tips are common practice, not USCIS rules. For informational purposes only, not legal advice.