Eligible Awards

Recognition can be through international, industry, and state awards and prizes. However, any awards received for your professional activity can be relevant. The better known and respected the award at national and international levels, the more weight it adds to your application. For example, top placements in international and national rankings, state awards in science and technology, professional association awards, victories in innovation and entrepreneurship competitions, or significant investments from renowned international venture funds.

If the awards were granted not personally to you but to your company or project, it's crucial to clearly demonstrate your direct contribution to these achievements. Letters from colleagues, managers, clients, or partners confirming your pivotal role in the project, reports, or publications mentioning your contribution can serve as proof.

Documents to Prepare

• Documentary proof that you are the recipient of the award. This can be a copy of the award certificate, a photograph of the award, a public announcement of the award granting, etc.
• Evidence that the award relates to your professional sphere. For example, an excerpt from the competition rules specifying the  area of expertise or media publications about the professional requirements.
• Confirmation that the award is recognized at the national or international level. You can provide information about the reputation of the organization, the number of participants from different countries and regions, the annual number of winners, media publications about the award, etc.
• Proof that the award was granted for outstanding professional achievements. For instance, criteria for participant selection and winner choice, or a letter from the organizers.
• If the award was a team award, provide letters or other documents confirming your personal contribution.

All documents must be translated into English. It's also important to provide your explanations about the significance of the award and contest, the reputation of the organization that awarded it, the number and level of participants.

Important Points

• Don't limit yourself to recent awards; consider including awards received earlier in your career.
• Keep applying for new awards in your field.

Your US O-1 visa application should clearly demonstrate your professionalism and recognition in your field. Careful documentation of your awards and achievements will help convince the immigration officer of your uniqueness and outstanding abilities.

Other criteria for qualifying for an O-1А visa: 

• Employment in a critical or essential capacity
• Published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about you
• Judging on a panel, or individually, of the work of others
• Membership in professional associations
• High salary
• Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals, or other major media
• Original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance