EB1A Green Card – The Judging Category
What Is the EB1A Judging Category?
One of the ten criteria used by USCIS to evaluate extraordinary ability for the EB1A green card is participation as a judge of the work of others in your field of expertise. According to U.S. immigration regulations: 8 CFR 204.5(h)(3)(iv) – Evidence of your participation, either individually or on a panel, as a judge of the work of others in the same or a closely related field for which you seek classification. In simple terms, this means USCIS considers judging others’ work—whether in competitions, academic panels, peer review boards, or industry evaluations—as a sign that you’re recognized as an expert by your peers.
Key Requirements for the Judging Category
You Must Actually Participate: Merely being invited to judge is not enough—you must have actively participated in evaluating the work. Evidence of involvement is essential. If you were too busy to accept the invitation or didn’t follow through, USCIS will not consider this sufficient.
You Must Be Judging Others’ Work in Your Field or a Related Field: Your evaluation must be of work in the same or an allied field of specialization. For example, if you’re a software engineer, judging a hackathon or reviewing technical papers in AI, cybersecurity, or cloud computing may qualify. However, judging an unrelated field—like a photography contest—will not.
There are two interpretations USCIS may take:
You judged professionals in your field or a related field (the stronger scenario).
You judged work in your field, even if the individuals weren’t yet professionals (e.g., students at a top university).
The first is always preferred and easier to defend. The second may be accepted but comes with greater scrutiny and a higher chance of a Request for Evidence (RFE).
What Types of Judging Qualify?
Examples that typically meet the standard include:
Serving as a judge or reviewer for academic conferences
Reviewing journal submissions (peer review)
Sitting on dissertation or thesis committees
Judging professional competitions in your field
Evaluating grant applications or industry awards
Judging should go beyond your job duties. For example, if you perform quality control as part of your employment, that usually won’t count unless it’s clearly a distinct, invited, and prestigious activity.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Here are some frequent issues applicants face when trying to meet the Judging category:
❌ Only an Invitation Without Participation: Invitations are helpful, but USCIS requires proof of actual participation—like score sheets, event programs, or photos of you on a judging panel.
❌ Judging Outside Your Field: Stick closely to your area of specialization. Trying to stretch the definition too far (e.g., "business strategy" being applied to art competitions) weakens your case.
❌ Low-Profile or Informal Events: While not strictly required, judging high-profile or well-documented events adds credibility. Small or obscure events with little documentation are less persuasive.
❌ Judging as Part of a Day Job: Routine job responsibilities (like grading students or internal performance reviews) don’t count. The activity should reflect external recognition of your expertise.
Peer Reviewing
Peer review can qualify—but only if:
You’ve reviewed for reputable journals or conference.
You’ve completed multiple reviews.
The journal or conference is recognized in your industry.
For professors, peer review may be considered part of regular job duties, so additional evidence of external recognition is critical.
How to Strengthen Your Case
If you're planning to judge an upcoming event, gather solid documentation:
Official invitation letters or emails
Screenshots or photos of you on the panel
Event programs with your name listed
Judging criteria and scorecards
Post-event thank-you notes
The more comprehensive your evidence, the stronger your case.
Final Thoughts
The EB1A Judging category can be a powerful way to prove your extraordinary ability—but only if approached strategically. Focus on well-documented, credible events in your field, ensure actual participation, and provide clear, high-quality evidence. If you're unsure whether your judging experience qualifies, or how to present it effectively, consider consulting an immigration expert to help you build the strongest possible case.