EB-1A Green Card
EB-1A Green Card is a subcategory of EB-1 employment-based Green Card, and it is issued to people who harness extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The applicant must continue working in the area of his/her expertise after coming to the U.S.
- The applicant must have evidence of his/her extraordinary achievement in his or her area of expertise. This could be a Pulitzer, Oscar, or Olympic Medal.
If the applicant does not have such an internationally recognized achievement, s/he must meet at least three of the ten criteria;
- Evidence of receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence
- Evidence of the applicant’s membership in associations in the field which demand outstanding achievement of their members
- Evidence of published material about the applicant in professional or major trade publications or other major media
- Evidence that the applicant has been asked to judge the work of others, either individually or on a panel
- Evidence of the applicant’s original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field
- Evidence of the applicant’s authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media
- Evidence that the applicant’s work has been displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases
- Evidence of the applicant’s performance in a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations
- Evidence that the applicant commands a high salary or other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field
- Evidence of the applicant’s commercial successes in the performing arts
Family Members:
The spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 are eligible to accompany the applicant. Spouses may seek admission in E-14 and children in E-15 immigrant status.
FAQ:
Yes. Unlike many other Green Cards through employment categories, you can sponsor yourself for EB-1A Green Card.
Fortunately, EB-1A Green Card processing time is much shorter than other Green Card categories for applicants changing their status to EB-1A, thanks mostly to the permission of self-petitioning. The average processing time of I-140 is one year.
It is possible to apply EB-1A under premium processing categories with additional payment.
Yes! Applicants who are not in a legal nonimmigrant status and reside outside of the U.S. can apply for EB-1A through consular processing, though this pathway is, unfortunately, longer than an adjustment of status. To learn more about consular processing, please visit Consular Processing.
