How Major International Awards Qualify You for an EB-1 Green Card

A Fast, Direct Path to Permanent U.S. Residency

Welcome to the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram’s EB-1 Green Card series. For top professionals recognized with major awards, the EB-1 category can offer one of the fastest routes to permanent U.S. residency. If your achievement represents the highest distinction in your field, you may already qualify for an EB-1 Green Card without needing additional criteria.

The “one-time achievement” category under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(3) allows applicants to qualify based solely on a major, internationally recognized award. If your award fits this definition, you may bypass the traditional requirement of meeting three out of ten EB-1 regulatory criteria.

What USCIS Considers a Major International Award

The EB-1 Green Card is reserved for individuals at the pinnacle of their profession. A qualifying major award is one that is recognized internationally as a symbol of extraordinary achievement.

Examples include globally celebrated honors such as:

• Oscar
• Grammy Award
• Nobel Prize
• Fields Medal

These awards demonstrate global recognition, high competition, and elite status in a professional field.

Importantly, you do not need an American award to qualify. Prestigious awards from any country may satisfy the EB-1 one-time achievement requirement if they are widely respected on a national or international scale.

Examples of Qualifying Awards Across Professions

Major awards exist in nearly every industry. While many people associate EB-1 extraordinary ability with entertainment or science, USCIS recognizes global excellence in diverse fields.

Film, Television, and Media Awards

Awards that commonly qualify include:

• Oscars
• Tonys
• Emmys
• SAG Awards
• Golden Globes
• Grammys

These honors reflect outstanding performance and career-defining contributions.

Scientific and Academic Awards

Highly prestigious scientific and scholarly awards also meet the EB-1 standard, such as:

• MacArthur Fellowship (“Genius Grant”)
• Fields Medal
• Bancroft Prize
• Nobel Prize

These awards are not tied to a specific university or organization; they are recognized internationally and reserved for individuals who have made groundbreaking contributions.

Journalism and Literary Awards

Awards such as the Pulitzer Prize demonstrate extraordinary achievement in journalism, writing, and public service.

Country-Specific but Globally Respected Awards

U.S. immigration authorities understand that excellence is recognized differently around the world. Many EB-1 approvals are based on awards that may not be widely known in the United States but hold high prestige within the recipient’s home country or international professional community.

Can Older Awards Still Qualify?

Absolutely. Even awards granted years ago can serve as the foundation of a successful EB-1 petition. What matters most is the prestige, competitiveness, and international recognition of the award, not how recently it was received.

Our team excels at presenting award documentation creatively and effectively so USCIS fully understands its significance.

Strengthen Your Case With Expert Evidence Presentation

Winning a major award is only part of the process; how the evidence is presented can significantly impact the success of your petition. We help clients:

• Establish the award’s international prestige
• Document selection criteria and competitiveness
• Demonstrate the award’s professional significance
• Highlight past recipients and institutional authority

A well-built one-time achievement case can qualify you without needing to satisfy any additional EB-1 criteria.

Act Now to Secure Your Green Card Through Extraordinary Achievement

If you believe you have won an award that qualifies as a major, internationally recognized honor, our team will evaluate it free of charge. We can assess its strength, identify any supporting evidence needed, and map a direct pathway to permanent residency.

Don’t miss the opportunity to secure your Green Card through your achievement.

Next Steps in the EB-1 Journey

After reviewing major awards, continue exploring the EB-1 extraordinary ability criteria. Many applicants qualify through a combination of achievements,even if they do not hold a major award.

If you meet three or more categories, you may already be well on your way to permanent residency.

Call today to start your path toward the American Dream.