EB1A Awards Criteria RFE? How to Qualify

Winning an award feels great—but does it actually help your EB1A extraordinary ability petition? Many applicants assume that any recognition is enough, only to find out that USCIS applies strict standards when evaluating the EB1A awards criteria.

Contents hide

1 Understanding the EB1A Awards Criteria

2 What Qualifies as an EB1A-Recognized Award?

3 What Doesn’t Qualify as an EB1A Award?

4 How to Strengthen Your EB1A Award Evidence

5 Common USCIS RFEs and How to Overcome Them

6 Conclusion

Not all prizes or honors qualify. The key question is: Does this award truly reflect extraordinary ability on a national or international level? If not, USCIS may reject it as insufficient.

This guide will break down exactly what counts as an EB1A-eligible award, what doesn’t, and how to strengthen your evidence to meet this criterion. Whether you’ve won industry honors, research prizes, or business accolades, knowing how USCIS evaluates them can make or break your petition. Let’s dive in.

PS: If you go through this guide and believe you have a potentially valid case, then don’t hesitate to fill out our free attorney case assessment questionnaire: Click here to access our free EB1A evaluation form!

Understanding the EB1A Awards Criteria

One of the 10 eligibility criteria for EB1A approval is having received a “lesser nationally or internationally recognized prize or award for excellence in the field of endeavor.”

This means:
✅ The award must be prestigious and well known in the field
✅ It must be given for excellence, not just participation
✅ It must be recognized at the national or international level

This is different from the one-time, top-tier major international awards (like the Nobel Prize or an Oscar). Instead, it applies to honors that indicate a high level of distinction within a specific industry.

What Qualifies as an EB1A-Recognized Award?

To be considered for EB1A, an award must:

1️⃣ Be Nationally or Internationally Recognized

The award should be known beyond a single company, school, or small organization.
USCIS looks for evidence that the award holds significance at a broader level.

2️⃣ Be Based on Merit and Excellence

The award must be competitive, with a rigorous selection process.
General acknowledgments, such as “best employee” or “volunteer of the year,” do not qualify.

Examples of Acceptable Awards:

✅ Industry-Wide Awards – Recognized by experts in the field (e.g., Pulitzer Prize, Fields Medal)
✅ National Science or Research Awards – Government or prestigious institution awards for innovation
✅ International Competitions – Medals from Olympiads, major sporting events, or arts/music contests
✅ Professional Organization Prizes – Awards from top-tier associations in business, medicine, or engineering

If your award falls into one of these categories, it may help your EB1A case—but you’ll still need to prove its prestige and exclusivity.

What Doesn’t Qualify as an EB1A Award?

Just because something is called an “award” doesn’t mean it meets EB1A standards. USCIS rejects many honors for being too local, common, or loosely defined.

Commonly Rejected Awards:

❌ Employee of the Month/Year – Internal company recognition isn’t considered a sign of national/international distinction.
❌ Participation or Attendance-Based Awards – If an award is given simply for being involved in an event or program, it holds no weight.
❌ Grants, Fellowships, or Scholarships – Unless they are highly competitive and awarded for demonstrated excellence, they won’t qualify.
❌ University Honors – Academic distinctions (e.g., Dean’s List, Magna Cum Laude) are too common to prove extraordinary ability.
❌ Local or Regional Awards – If an award is only known within a small geographic area, USCIS won’t count it as nationally or internationally significant.

How to Strengthen Your EB1A Award Evidence

Even if your award seems strong, you must document its significance properly. USCIS often challenges awards that lack clear proof of prestige. Here’s how to strengthen your case:

1. Provide Official Documentation

Include award certificates, press releases, and official announcements from the awarding body.
If possible, obtain a letter from the awarding organization explaining the selection criteria and prestige of the award.

2. Prove National or International Recognition

Show that the award is covered by reputable national/international media.
Provide data on past winners and their impact in the field.

3. Demonstrate Exclusivity

Prove that only a small number of people receive this award each year.
If applicable, show who the judges were—industry leaders evaluating competitors add credibility.

4. Submit Independent References

Letters from experts stating that the award is highly regarded in the field can help.
If industry organizations or governing bodies reference the award in their official materials, include those citations.

Common USCIS RFEs and How to Overcome Them

USCIS officers frequently issues RFEs about award-related claims. Here’s what they might say—and how to respond:

💬 RFE: “This award is not well known.”
✅ Solution: Provide third-party sources (news articles, professional association statements) that prove its significance.

💬 RFE: “This award is employer-specific.”
✅ Solution: Show that the award is open to professionals outside your company and judged by independent experts.

💬 RFE: “This is not an individual award.”
✅ Solution: If it was a team award, demonstrate your specific role in winning it. Provide supporting documents highlighting your contribution.

Conclusion

The EB1A awards criterion can be a powerful piece of your petition—but only if the award meets USCIS standards. Focus on:
✅ Proving prestige (national/international recognition)
✅ Demonstrating exclusivity (merit-based selection, limited recipients)
✅ Providing strong evidence (official documentation, media coverage, expert letters)

If your awards don’t qualify, don’t worry—you can strengthen your case through other EB1A criteria. Carefully documenting your contributions, authorship, or leadership roles can help build a successful petition.