Criterion 8 of 10
View Evidence ChecklistLeading or Critical Role
Have you held a critical role in distinguished organizations?
Evidence Strength Examples
USCIS evaluates the strength of your evidence. Here's what they look for:
High Evidence Strength
Strong evidence that clearly demonstrates extraordinary ability
C-level executive/Founder of a unicorn startup, or Chief Scientist/Principal Engineer at a FAANG/Fortune 500 company.
Medium Evidence Strength
Moderate evidence that may need additional documentation
VP/Director level in a mid-sized company or key technical lead in a specific successful project.
Low Evidence Strength
Weak evidence that typically doesn't meet USCIS standards
Team lead or manager in a small/unknown startup or generic department.
How to Document This Criterion
Evidence to Collect
Types of documentation USCIS looks for
- Organizational chart showing your position
- Job description and responsibilities documentation
- Letters from superiors confirming your critical contributions
- Evidence of organization's distinction (funding, reputation)
- Project outcomes directly attributable to your leadership
Pro Tips
Expert advice for stronger documentation
- 💡Define 'distinguished'—include company metrics, funding, market position
- 💡Show your role was CRITICAL, not just managerial
- 💡Document specific outcomes: revenue, products, team growth
- 💡Get testimonials linking success to your leadership