Extraordinary Ability (EB-1)

EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY

Your Talent Opens the Golden Door

The Extraordinary Ability category is a coveted employment-based immigration pathway aimed at individuals with outstanding expertise in their respective fields. Designed to attract global talent, his category allows applicants who have demonstrated extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics to apply for permanent residency in the United States.

To determine if you have extraordinary ability in your field, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses a two-step process. First, you need to show that you have won a major achievement (such as an Oscar or Pulitzer) or meet at least three of the following criteria:

1. Receipt of national or international awards or prizes

2. Membership in professional associations demanding exceptional achievements

3 Published articles about you or your work in reputable media

4. A history of significant contributions to your field

5. Employment in a high-ranking or significant role

6. A high salary relative to industry peers

7. Authorship of scholarly articles in reputable publications

8. Participation as a judge of the work of others in your field

9. Demonstrable commercial success

10. Academic or scholarly achievements

However, meeting the criteria alone does not secure approval of the EB-1 green card. The second step involves assessing the overall evidence to establish that you are among the small percentage of individuals who have risen to the very top of your field and have sustained national and international acclaim. You also need to demonstrate you will continue to work in your field of expertise.

The Extraordinary Ability category is a subcategory of the first employment-based category, which offers includes three avenue for achieving U.S. permanent residency: EB-1A: For individuals of extraordinary ability; EB-1B: For outstanding professors and researchers; and EB-1C: For multinational managers and executives.

Real Stories

Hear directly from those who have already obtained a green card or citizenship with us

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How does EB-1A differ from O-1A?

EB-1A leads to permanent residency, while O-1A is temporary, and the eligibility standards are higher for EB-1A.

What is the Kazarian analysis in the EB-1A process?

A two-step determination to assess if the applicant genuinely ranks at the top of their field. Unfortunately, the Kazarian decision makes the EB-1A system highly subjective. An adjudicator may be unconvinced despite sufficient evidence in all categories, leading to petition denial.