A: According to CIS regulations, if you receive a major internationally recognized award, such as a Nobel Prize, you will automatically qualify for an EB-1A visa. Other awards may also qualify if you can document that the award is in the same class as a Nobel Prize. Since very few individuals receive this type of award, alternative evidence of EB-1A classification based on at least three of the types of evidence outlined below, is permitted:
- Receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence;
- Membership in associations in the field which demand outstanding achievement of their members;
- Published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media;
- Evidence that the alien has judged the work of others, either individually or on a panel;
- Evidence of the alien's original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field;
- Evidence of the alien's authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media;
- Evidence that the alien's work has been displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases;
- Performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations;
- Evidence that the alien commands a high salary or other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field;
- Evidence of commercial successes in the performing arts;
- Other comparable evidence.