EB1 Green Card 8 C.F.R. 204.5(h) (3) – Are You a National Award Winner? *

EB1 Green Card - Have you ever won a National Award? If so, you could be on your way to qualifying for an EB1 green card today.

Recipient of any National Award

(i) Documentation of the alien’s receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor;

Most people who have considered the EB1 green card and perhaps have spoken to some lawyer or the other they are often dissuaded from applying if the have not won any kind of national award. Whilst it is true if the alien has won a major internationally recognized award such as an Oscar, BAFTA, Ivor Novello or Nobel Prize then getting the EB1 green card is more or less a formality, it is also true that simply winning any national award along with being able to satisfy two other categories from the EB1 green card checklist is sufficient to enable an alien to equally qualify for an EB1 green card. The types of EB1 green card qualifying awards we’re talking about here are awards that have national recognition.

Many industries have annual national award ceremonies. So we’re not talking about a company’s own internal staff award or a single university’s ‘best dissertation award’. We’re talking about an award where others may compete nationally or internationally to win. It is sometimes the case that an award that might at first glance seem a national award may also raise to the level of having international recognition also and if so this could significantly bolster the case. 

EB1 Green Card - Awards come in a wide variety of professions from the Crufts Dog Show to Engineering, from Music to Medical discoveries. If you've won a National Award then we want to hear from you.

In order for us to consider the award you’ll need to find out as much as you can about the award (internet info will do initially) and send us an outline about the award at your earliest convenience so that we can make a quick EB1 green card assessment. 

One final point in many instances multiple awards are given out such as first, second and third prizes. All three would qualify for the EB1 green card category. Being nominated for a prize is certainly interesting but it’s not the same as walking away with an actual prize even if it’s a runner up prize.

For EB1 green card consideration the award can be for anything within your profession as long as we can legitimately present it to US Immigration as being nationally recognized. So whether it is a Gold Medal in sports, media or medicine it makes no difference. If you have won, then US Immigration cannot argue against it. Indeed that’s the whole point of having this category: so that it takes out all the guess work of the alien’s abilities if their organization has recognized them as a winner. Putting an EB1 green card case together is sometimes like digging for buried treasure if you have had a long illustrious career it’s amazing how many things you may have done in your career that have been forgotten. Take some time and really examine your history to see if at any time you have been recognized on a national level.

By Attorney Chris M. Ingram

EB1 Green Card Checklist -
One Time International Award -
National Award -
Invited Membership -
Published Material About You -
Judging -
Innovation -
Scholarly Articles -
Exhibition or Showcases -
Leading / Critical Role -
High Salary -
Commercial Success -

US Immigration Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram
Chris M. Ingram LL.M., ESQ – Immigration Attorney
Admitted in New York.
Practice Specializing in US Immigration Law
520 Broadway, Suite 350,
Santa Monica,
California 90401
Tel: 310 496 4292

Everyday the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram provides a comprehensive range of US Immigration expertise. We also provide a free consultation for our prospective clients. 

General Location: Santa Monica ,  Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Serving all 50 States
Copyright 2010

Please note that nothing contained in this website or link therefrom shall be regarded as providing legal advice. Please contact us directly for legal advice specific to your situation. Thank You.