O-1A Criteria – Receipt of nationally or internationally recognized awards or prizes

The O-1A visa is designed for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics. To qualify for an O-1A visa, applicants must demonstrate that they have achieved a level of expertise that is significantly above that of their peers in their field. At Zneimer & Zneimer, our experienced immigration attorneys can help you navigate the O-1A visa application process and analyze each criteria to determine if you qualify.To qualify for an O-1A visa, applicants must meet at least three of the following criteria:

1. Documentation of the beneficiary’s receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor;
2. Documentation of the beneficiary’s membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought, which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts in their disciplines or fields;
3. Published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about the beneficiary, relating to the beneficiary’s work in the field for which classification is sought, which must include the title, date, and author of such published material, and any necessary translation;
4. Evidence of the beneficiary’s participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same or in an allied field of specialization for which classification is sought;
5. Evidence of the beneficiary’s original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field;
6. Evidence of the beneficiary’s authorship of scholarly articles in the field, in professional journals, or other major media;
7. Evidence that the beneficiary has been employed in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation; or
8. Evidence that the beneficiary has either commanded a high salary or will command a high salary or other remuneration for services, as evidenced by contracts or other reliable evidenc

The first criteria for O-1A visa eligibility is receipt of nationally or internationally recognized awards or prizes for excellence in the applicant’s field of endeavor. This criterion is one of the most straightforward ways to demonstrate extraordinary ability, as it provides concrete evidence of the applicant’s achievements and recognition within their field.

To meet this criterion, the award or prize must be significant and widely recognized within the applicant’s field of endeavor. This can include awards or prizes from government agencies, professional associations, or other reputable organizations. It is important to note that the award or prize must be based on the applicant’s individual accomplishments and not on the achievements of their employer or organization.  According to USCIS, many scholastic awards do not have the requisite level of recognition,but there are some Ph.D. scholarships or dissertation awards, that are nationally or internationally recognized as awards for excellence such that they may satisfy the requirements of this criterion. The petitioner must document each of the relevant considerations, which include, but are not limited to:

• The criteria use to grant the awards or prizes;
• The national or international significance of the awards or prizes in the field;
• The number of awardees or prize recipients; and
• Limitations on eligible competitors.

For example, an award available only to persons within a single locality, employer, or school may have little national or international recognition, while an award open to members of a well-known national institution (including an R1 or R2 doctoral university or professional organization may be nationally recognized).  The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education recognizes R1 and R2 doctoral universities as having “very high” or “high” research activity, respectively, based on publicly available federal government data regarding the number of doctoral degrees awarded and the amount of total research expenditures. See the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s Basic Classification Description webpage.  Check whether the research activity from your institution is considered high or very high.

At Zneimer & Zneimer, our experienced immigration attorneys can help you evaluate your awards and prizes and determine if they meet the requirements for the O-1A visa. We will work with you to gather the necessary documentation, such as certificates and letters of recognition, and present a strong case to USCIS.