Learn how judging the work of others in EB1A applications proves extraordinary ability. Discover what counts as judging work, required evidence, and tips to qualify for this criterion.
The EB-1A visa is one of the few paths that leads straight to a green card. Not temporary status, actual permanent residency for you and your family.So what is the EB-1A category, exactly? The full name is “Employment-Based First Preference, Category A,” and it’s meant for people who’ve shown extraordinary ability in their field. One of the biggest advantages is that you don’t need a job offer or an employer backing you. You can apply entirely on your own. Scientists do it. Entrepreneurs do it. Artists, athletes, pretty much anyone who’s operating at the very top of their profession.
To qualify, USCIS asks you to meet at least three out of ten criteria. These are meant to show that you’re not just good at what you do, you're among the best. One of those criteria is judging the work of others, which basically demonstrates that other experts in your field trust your opinion enough to have you review or evaluate their work.If you’re thinking about going for the EB-1A, Beyond Border’s team can look at your background and help you figure out the strongest way to approach your application.
When USCIS talks about “judging the work of others” for an EB-1A case, they’re basically asking whether people in your field trusted you enough to evaluate what they’ve created. This could be anything from reviewing research papers to giving feedback on projects or helping decide which submissions deserved awards.One thing they’re strict about is proving that you actually did the judging. An invitation alone doesn’t carry much weight—you need to show that you participated, not just that someone asked you.It also has to make sense for your background. If you work in software, but you were asked to judge something in a totally unrelated field, that won’t help your case. The work you reviewed should clearly connect to what you claim as your area of expertise.The reason this criterion matters is pretty simple: if other professionals trust your judgment enough to let you evaluate their work, it shows you’ve earned a certain level of respect in your field. That recognition is something USCIS looks for when they evaluate an EB-1A application.
A lot of people meet the EB-1A judging requirement simply by doing peer reviews for academic journals. It’s honestly the most common route. Most successful applicants seem to have at least a few reviews under their belt, and journals don’t ask you unless they think you know what you’re talking about. When an editor emails you out of the blue to look at a manuscript, that’s already a sign they trust your judgment.
Dissertation committees count too. Universities aren’t going to put someone random in front of a PhD candidate. If you’ve sat through defenses or helped evaluate doctoral work, that says something about your reputation. Editorial boards go even further journals pick those people very carefully because they’re shaping what gets published in the first place.Judging isn’t limited to academia either. Industry awards, pitch events, technical competition someone has to decide who wins, and organizers usually bring in people with real experience. Program committees for conferences and grant review panels fall in the same category. They’re all about deciding whose work deserves a platform or funding, and that relies on trusted experts.
If you’re trying to figure out which of your own experiences actually qualify, Beyond Border can help you sort through everything and point out the judging work you might not even realize counts
People often overlook something important about the EB-1A judging requirement: who you judge actually matters. Looking over the work of your professional peers carries weight, but grading students or doing routine performance reviews really doesn’t move the needle. USCIS wants to see that you were asked to evaluate people who are on the same level as you, sometimes even ahead of you. So a researcher reviewing another researcher’s paper fits. An entrepreneur helping pick winners at a startup pitch event fits. An artist weighing in on other artists’ work fits too.
What really matters is that you were chosen for your credibility, not because judging was already part of your day-to-day job. A lot of applicants get tripped up here. Managing your team and reviewing employee performance doesn’t count, that's just your job. But when an outside journal asks you to do a peer review, or when an event organizer reaches out because they want someone with your background, that’s very different. That’s merit-based selection.
And of course, it all has to line up with your field of expertise. If you’re applying under the business category, for example, judging an art competition won’t help much. USCIS is looking for judging work that actually reflects your area of extraordinary ability.
When it comes to the EB-1A judging requirement, the documentation really does matter. You can’t just say you reviewed someone’s work, you have to show it. Usually the first thing USCIS looks for is the invitation itself, so keep those emails or letters from journals, conferences, or event organizers. Don’t delete anything.
But the invitation isn’t enough by itself. USCIS often pushes back when people only submit that and nothing else. They want to see that you actually completed the review. So include the manuscript you evaluated if possible, or at least the email where you sent your comments back. Thank-you notes from the organizers also help it show you didn’t just get invited, you actually followed through.
If the organization is willing, a letter on official letterhead explaining how they choose reviewers can make a big difference. Something that says, basically, “Here’s why we picked this person.” Details about the event or publication help too how many papers you reviewed, how many competitors were involved, what the competition was about, and so on.
And honestly, even photos can help. If you have pictures from a judging event looking at submissions, sitting on a panel, handing out awards they’re nice supporting evidence.If you’re not sure how to pull everything together, Beyond Border’s team can help sort through your documents and build strong evidence for your EB-1A judging criterion.
Many applicants assume any evaluation work counts as judging the work of others eb1a. That assumption causes problems.Teaching and mentoring don't qualify. Grading student papers or guiding junior colleagues isn't the same as judging peers. USCIS will reject evidence showing you evaluated students or trainees.
Internal company reviews face scrutiny. Assessing your own employees as part of your job likely won't satisfy the criterion. USCIS often challenges whether such reviews demonstrate extraordinary ability or just routine duties.Informal or unofficial judging roles get dismissed. If the panel has no formal recognition or selection process, USCIS may not accept it.
Some people try using low quality or pay to participate platforms. USCIS officers have become wary of questionable services with minimal prestige. The more prestigious and selective the judging opportunity, the stronger your evidence.Quantity alone doesn't win cases. Ten mediocre judging experiences carry less weight than three highly prestigious ones. Focus on quality over volume.
Quick clarification. What does judging mean in personality test contexts has nothing to do with immigration.The Myers Briggs personality assessment uses judging versus perceiving to describe how people approach structure and decision making. That's a psychological concept.
It has zero connection to judging the work of others EB1A in immigration applications. Don't confuse these completely separate meanings of the word judging.In immigration, judging work refers specifically to evaluating the professional output of peers in your field. It's about expert assessment, not personality traits.
The judging criterion works best when it connects to your other evidence. Strong cases show multiple achievements reinforcing each other. If you published influential research, journals may have invited you to peer review because of your publications. Your authorship demonstrates expertise. The peer review invitations confirm others recognize that expertise.Membership in selective professional associations often requires peer review experience. You can potentially satisfy two EB1A criteria with related evidence.
Awards and recognition can stem from judging work too. Being named to a prestigious editorial board might generate media coverage. That press coverage becomes evidence for the published material criterion. Think about how your judging roles demonstrate your standing at the top of your field. Each piece of evidence should reinforce the overall narrative of extraordinary ability. Beyond Border specializes in crafting compelling EB1A narratives that connect all your achievements into a winning strategy.
What is the eb1a category going to cost you? Government filing fees for Form I-140 total $1,015 for most self petitioners. That includes a $715 filing fee plus a $300 asylum program fee.Attorney fees vary widely. Expect to pay between $5,000 and $12,000 depending on your case complexity and the law firm you choose.
Premium processing costs an additional $2,805. This service gets you a decision on your I-140 within 15 business days instead of waiting 4 to 6 months.If you're already in the United States, you'll file Form I-485 to adjust status. That's $1,440 per adult applicant and $950 per child under 14.
Total costs typically range from $10,000 to $20,000 including all government fees and attorney services. Budget for translation services, document preparation, and obtaining supporting evidence too.Standard processing for the I-140 takes 4 to 6 months as of 2025. After approval, green card processing adds another 12 to 24 months if you're adjusting status in the United States.
Start accumulating judging work experience now if you're planning an EB1A application. Don't wait until you're ready to file. Look for peer review opportunities in your field. Contact journals where you've published and offer to review manuscripts. Established researchers often welcome qualified reviewers.
Join conference program committees. Professional associations need experts to evaluate paper submissions for their annual meetings.Pursue editorial board positions. These roles require more commitment but carry substantial weight in EB1A applications.Volunteer as a judge for industry competitions, startup pitch events, or professional awards. These opportunities often seek qualified evaluators.
Document everything carefully. Save every email, letter, and communication related to your judging activities. Take photos at events. Collect thank you letters. Need guidance on building your EB1A profile? Beyond Border's experts can create a customized plan to strengthen your judging criterion evidence.
