Documenting Sustained Acclaim for a Successful EB-1A Petition

To be eligible for an employment-based visa such as the EB-1A, you must be able to demonstrate extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim [1].

To qualify for an EB-1A visa, you must show sustained national or international acclaim and recognition in your area of expertise. “Sustained” means the acclaim must be ongoing. For example, a data scientist who published a groundbreaking article 10 years ago about using AI in healthcare should also show more recent publications, or continued citations, to demonstrate a lasting impact. A single paper, even in a top-tier journal, may not be enough. If a person was highly successful in the past, they should show they continue to maintain a similar level of recognition in their field. 

When making a determination, USCIS looks at whether your contributions have made a lasting impact and if your success is ongoing. You also need to show your contributions benefit the U.S. beyond your current employer. If you created a machine learning algorithm to detect financial fraud in real time for your company, and it was later adopted by multiple U.S. banks, it would show your work benefits the nation’s financial systems in addition to your own employer.

Why Can a One-Time Achievement Satisfy the Requirement of Extraordinary Ability without Sustained Acclaim?

A swimmer from New Zealand who won a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics could easily satisfy the “one-time achievement” criteria for an EB-1A visa. Winning an Olympic gold medal certainly places her among the very top fraction of elite athletes.

The EB-1A petition for an Olympic medalist would be a simple process of providing evidence of major media coverage from the Olympics and a few letters of recommendation verifying their medals and lucrative endorsement contracts. In this case, USCIS does not require evidence of sustained acclaim because the achievement itself is considered proof of extraordinary ability.

No Gold Medal? Here’s how Professionals Prove Sustained Acclaim

Just a tiny fraction of EB-1A visa petitioners wear shiny gold Olympic medals from the Paris Olympics as proof of their extraordinary ability. Even those who have won a single, globally recognized achievement like an Olympic medal must show they intend to continue working in their area of expertise. For most individuals seeking an employment-based visa under the extraordinary ability category, they must meet at least 3 of the 10 regulatory criteria outlined in section 203(b)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Proving sustained national or international acclaim is essential to a successful petition. 

How Can You Tell If Your Accomplishments and Achievements Meet the Standard?

The EB-1A visa category is reserved for individuals who have reached the very top of their field. To qualify, you must prove your success and recognition are ongoing, and not a moment of fame. You may be at the top of your field and have sustained acclaim if: (1) your achievements are recognized beyond your own company, (2) your work has had a national or international impact, (3) other experts in your field regularly reference your work or seek your expertise, and (4) you’ve received honors or held positions reserved for top professionals. If you can answer “yes” to a couple of these accomplishments, you likely meet the standard.

There’s No Age Limit for Sustained Acclaim

A young professional can qualify for an EB-1A Visa. Age is not a factor, and decades of experience are not required. What matters is that your work is making an ongoing difference in your field. The updated USCIS Policy Manual [1] makes it clear that sustained acclaim has no age requirement or set time frame. If your work is widely recognized and is making a significant contribution to your field, you may qualify for extraordinary ability. 

For example, a 25-year-old engineer who patented a medical device now used in hospitals across the United States could qualify. In this case, he could prove sustained acclaim because he is continuing his research at a leading medical company, has five pending patents as the primary inventor, and regularly receives invitations to speak at top medical conferences. His track record demonstrates sustained acclaim and proves his success is ongoing even though he is young. The key to proving sustained acclaim for a very young professional is showing momentum and continued success.

USCIS evaluates the significance and influence of your achievements and not how long you have been working. Even at a young age, you can qualify for an EB-1A visa.

“[T]he term sustained does not imply an age limit on the beneficiary. A beneficiary may be very young or early in his or her career and still be able to show sustained acclaim. There is also no definitive time frame on what constitutes sustained" [1].

Strong Evidence is the Key to Proving Sustained Acclaim

You must meet at least 3 of the 10 criteria below, or provide evidence of a one-time achievement (i.e., Pulitzer, Oscar, Olympic Medal) as well as evidence showing that you will be continuing to work in the area of your expertise.

Strong criteria evidence can help prove you are consistently recognized in your field and that your contributions have had a major and lasting impact on your industry. 

This checklist gives examples of strong evidence that demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim under the EB-1A criteria:

Receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards

• You have received multiple awards from respected national or international organizations over several years. 

• Awards from prominent industry associations, government bodies, or well-known competitions. 

• The recognition you receive is from reputable sources with credibility within your industry. (Warning: Self-promoting awards that require fees or sell publicity packages should not be used as credible evidence of sustained acclaim.)

  
  

Membership in your field’s associations which demand outstanding achievement

• You have memberships, particularly longstanding ones, in multiple elite organizations with strict entry criteria. That means your membership required rigorous vetting, or proof of high-level accomplishments. These are important organizations in your area of expertise.

• You are a “fellow” in respected professional organizations. This status typically is given by invitation to members with remarkable achievements in their field.

• You serve in leadership positions within professional organizations.

  
  

Published material about you in professional or major trade publications or major media

• Respected industry magazines, newspapers, or international media outlets have featured you and your work in articles.

• You have been interviewed about your work for major media outlets.

• You have received coverage in multiple publications over time. This shows your work continues to be relevant and your success was not a singular instance.

• Leading experts in your field cite or mention your work, and you have hundreds of citations listed on your Google Scholar profile.

  
  

Judging the work of others in your field

• Major competitions, conferences, and peer-reviewed journals invite you to serve as a judge, reviewer, or panelist. 

• You receive invitations over several years from respected organizations to serve as a judge.

• You serve in judging roles for international events and high-profile awards.

  
  

Original contributions of major significance to the field

• Your innovations, patents, or methodologies have been widely adopted in your industry.

• Leading organizations worldwide reference and cite your original contributions.

• Experts in your field have recognized your original contributions and have confirmed their importance.

• Your patents are frequently cited.

• Your original contributions have laid the foundation for technological advancements in your field. 

• Your work is becoming more important and relevant over time. For instance, you hold a patent for a methodology that the micro processing industry now uses for cybersecurity. Even though the patent is two decades old, its relevance has increased. 

• Your work has long-term impact, such as being cited by others, adopted by companies, or used in industry standards.

• Endorsement letters from leading experts highlight your ongoing contributions and leadership in the field.

  
  

Authorship of scholarly or professional articles 

• You have published multiple articles in top peer-reviewed journals, industry magazines, or major newspapers.

• Other scholars or industry leaders frequently cite your work. Your Google Scholar profile has hundreds of citations over several years.

• You have published work over several years, showing sustained influence. 

  
  

Work displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases

• Your work has been displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases, including major national or international venues.

• You have received repeat invitations to exhibit at prestigious events.

• Your art has been included in curated collections or shows with global audiences.

  
  

Leading or critical role in distinguished organizations

• You currently serve as an executive, senior leader, or expert in well-known organizations. For example, you serve as the Chief Technology Officer or Senior IT Manager for a Fortune 500 company. 

• You have had leadership roles across multiple high-profile projects or companies. Documented outcomes show your role directly resulted in success. For example, you led the modernization of an AI-driven supply chain system for a major retailer like Target.

  
  

High salary or other significantly high remuneration

• Your earnings are consistently in the top 10% of your field in your region or internationally. Those earnings over the past several years have continued to increase.

• You receive significant bonuses, stock options, or other benefits tied to your expertise.

• Your salary increases are linked to your recognized achievements.

  
  

Commercial successes in the performing arts

• Consistently high box office, streaming, or sales figures over several years.

• International distribution of your work with proven revenue results.

• Multiple successful projects, and not just a single “hit”.

  
  

USCIS looks for credible, well-documented evidence that your contributions and hard work continue to shape your field. Whether you are early in your career or have decades of experience, the key is to show that you have risen to the very top of your field and continue to maintain national or international recognition or “sustained acclaim”. With strong evidence, you can prove your ongoing success meets the EB-1A standard for extraordinary ability.

Wondering if you meet the EB-1A criteria for sustained acclaim?

Book a Consultation and discuss your background with our experienced immigration attorneys.

Reference:

1. USCIS Policy Manual, Chapter 2.

This post is part 6 of a new 17-week series published every Wednesday. Each post is written by a different employee of Lisonbee Immigration Law about a immigration topic of their choosing. This post was written by legal writer Kristin Duke.