How to Organize Your O-1 Evidence Like an Adjudicator Would

You are an expert in your field. You probably talk to peers and experts all day.

While the USCIS officer reviewing your case knows a whole lot about U.S. immigration, they probably know absolutely nothing about your field - and they have limited time.

If your petition isn’t easy to follow, even strong evidence can lose its power. That’s why organization isn’t a formality - it’s strategy. And why it pays off to think like an adjudicator.

The adjudicator’s reality

Imagine reading dozens of 600-1200 page petitions every week, across fields you’ve never heard of -fashion design, robotics, choreography, nanotech.

You’re not an expert in any of them. You’re scanning for logic, clarity, and proof. You want to see:

• What the person does

• Why it matters

• How the evidence connects to the criteria

  
  

When your petition is organized like a coherent story and not just a document dump, you make their job easier. And that can make the difference between an approval and an RFE.

The 3 layers of organization

1. Macro: The case structure

Your table of contents should tell the story before the officer even starts reading. Each section should flow logically and cohesively. A strong structure says: This is a professional, credible applicant, and their achievements are easy to delineate.

2. Medium: The criteria

Each criterion should start with:

• A short intro paragraph explaining what’s included and why it meets the standard

• Sub-tabs labeled clearly (e.g., Exhibit 3A: Press Article in [Publication])

• A simple cover sheet summarizing each exhibit in one or two lines

You’re not just showing evidence - you’re guiding the reader.

3. Micro: The page-level details

This is where you make it effortless to scan:

• Label every exhibit consistently and clearly

• Highlight your name, title, and relevant sections in each document

• Add footers or headers with exhibit numbers so nothing feels lost

Details like these communicate care and make your petition feel cohesive and credible.

The “adjudicator mindset” checklist

Before submitting, ask yourself:

• Can someone outside my field understand what I do within five pages?

• Is every piece of evidence labeled and contextualized?

• Does the narrative flow naturally, or does it feel like a pile of documents?

• Have I explained why each exhibit matters - not just what it is?

If the answer is yes to all four, you’re thinking like an adjudicator.

Why this matters beyond approval

Good organization doesn’t just help your case - it changes how you see your own career.

When you build your petition logically, you start to recognize the golden thread in your work.

This birds eye perspective gives you confidence, not just in front of USCIS, but really in any professional context.

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The O-1 isn’t about impressing an officer with volume. It’s about communicating your value clearly, confidently, and coherently, to someone who knows absolutely nothing about you or your field.

When you organize your petition with the adjudicator in mind, you transform it from a pile of paperwork into a compelling argument.

At Portico, I help clients do exactly that: refine, structure, and present their cases so the story reads effortlessly and straightforwardly.

Learn more or book a consultation at porticovisa.com