EB1A Judging Criteria RFE? How to Qualify

Being selected to judge the work of others in your field is a strong indicator of extraordinary ability under the EB1A Judging Criteria. But not all judging roles count.

Contents hide
1 Understanding the EB1A Judging Criteria
2 What Qualifies as EB1A-Recognized Judging Experience?
3 What Doesn’t Qualify as EB1A Judging?
4 How to Strengthen Your EB1A Judging Evidence
5 Common USCIS RFE and How to Overcome Them
6 Conclusion

Many applicants assume that reviewing grant proposals, evaluating student work, or serving as a conference panelist is enough—but USCIS applies strict criteria to determine what qualifies.

To meet this requirement, you must prove that your role:
✅ Involves evaluating the work of peers or professionals, not just students or trainees
✅ Requires recognized expertise in your field
✅ Was an independent selection, meaning you were chosen for your reputation, not just as part of your job

This guide explains what counts as EB1A-eligible judging experience, what doesn’t, and how to properly document your role for a strong petition.

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!

EB1A Judging Criteria RFE

Understanding the EB1A Judging Criteria

One of the 10 EB1A criteria is:

“Participation, either individually or on a panel, as a judge of the work of others in the same or an allied field of specialization.”

To qualify, the judging role must:
✅ Be in a professional or expert capacity, not an entry-level or internal review
✅ Involve evaluating others at a comparable or higher level in your field
✅ Be based on your reputation and expertise, not just part of your routine job duties

USCIS is looking for cases where recognized experts are invited to assess the work of their peers in an official capacity.

What Qualifies as EB1A-Recognized Judging Experience?

To be considered for EB1A, your judging role must involve:

1️⃣ Evaluating Work at a Professional or High Level

  • You must be judging the work of your peers or industry professionals, not students.
  • Examples include reviewing research papers, grant applications, or industry awards.

2️⃣ Selection Based on Recognized Expertise

  • You must have been invited to judge based on your credentials.
  • Serving as a reviewer or evaluator for a well-known organization, journal, or competition is a strong indicator.

3️⃣ Serving in an Independent, Official Capacity

  • The judging should be separate from your normal job duties.
  • If you were selected through an independent process, such as by an external body, it strengthens your case.

Examples of Acceptable Judging Roles:

✅ Peer Reviewer for Scientific or Academic Journals (e.g., IEEE, Nature, The Lancet)
✅ Judge for Industry Awards or Competitions (e.g., Academy Awards, Design Awards, Startup Competitions)
✅ Grant or Fellowship Reviewer for government agencies, research councils, or funding organizations
✅ Expert Panelist Evaluating Professional Work (e.g., tenure reviews, professional certifications)

If your judging role fits one of these categories, it can be a strong part of your EB1A petition—but you must document it thoroughly.

What Doesn’t Qualify as EB1A Judging?

Many applicants assume that any evaluation or review work counts, but USCIS rejects cases that lack selectivity or professional significance.

Commonly Rejected Judging Roles:

❌ Evaluating Students or Trainees – Teaching, grading, or mentoring does not count as judging.
❌ Internal Employee Performance Reviews – Assessing subordinates at work is considered routine, not extraordinary.
❌ Participation in Informal Panels or Unofficial Groups – If the panel has no formal recognition, it may be rejected.
❌ Self-Appointed or Volunteer Judging Roles – If you were not invited based on expertise, USCIS may dismiss it.

How to Strengthen Your EB1A Judging Evidence

Even if your judging role qualifies, strong documentation is essential to prove its relevance.

1. Provide Official Invitations or Selection Letters

  • USCIS needs proof that you were chosen based on expertise, not just general involvement.
  • Letters should come from the organization running the competition, journal, or grant program.

2. Show Evidence of Your Role and Responsibilities

  • Provide official documents detailing your judging duties, evaluation criteria, and the significance of the work you reviewed.
  • If your name appears on a public reviewer list, judging panel, or editorial board, include screenshots or links.

3. Demonstrate the Prestige of the Event or Organization

  • Include evidence of the importance of the competition, journal, or awards program.
  • If past judges have been high-ranking experts, mention this to show the selective nature of the role.

4. Provide Letters from Organizers or Experts

  • Have an official from the judging body confirm your selection process and impact as a judge.
  • Letters from peers recognizing the prestige of your judging role can strengthen your case.

Common USCIS RFE and How to Overcome Them

USCIS officers frequently RFE judging-related claims. Here’s how to handle common pushbacks:

💬 RFE: “The applicant judged students, not professionals.”
✅ Solution: Provide evidence that your judging role involved evaluating industry peers or high-level professionals.

💬 RFE: “The applicant’s judging was part of their job.”
✅ Solution: Show that you were independently invited, not just assigned as part of regular employment.

💬 RFE: “This judging activity is not well documented.”
✅ Solution: Submit official invitations, judging criteria, and letters of confirmation from the organization.

Conclusion

Judging the work of others can be a valuable EB1A criterion, but only if it meets USCIS standards.

To build a strong case, focus on:
✅ Proving your role was merit-based and selective
✅ Documenting official invitations, responsibilities, and selection criteria
✅ Demonstrating the national or international significance of the judging event

If your judging experience doesn’t meet these standards, you’ll need to strengthen other aspects of your EB1A petition. A well-documented case with multiple strong criteria will always improve your chances of approval.

Further Reading on EB1A Judging Criteria

For additional insights and official resources to strengthen your EB1A Judging Criteria petition, check out these authoritative sources:

USCIS and Legal Guidelines

Case Law and RFEs Related to EB1A Judging Roles

Recognized Industry and Peer Review Organizations

How to Strengthen Your EB1A Judging Evidence

These resources can help further validate your case and provide additional guidance on proving that your judging experience is a recognized, merit-based, and selective role in your field for an EB1A petition.