EB-1A

EB-1A Green Card

The EB-1A Green Card is designed for individuals who demonstrate extraordinary ability in fields such as Science, Art, Education, Business, or Athletics. To qualify, applicants must prove that they are among a small percentage of people who have reached the top of their field and have achieved national or international recognition for their professional accomplishments.

Eligibility Criteria

To establish eligibility for the EB-1A Green Card, you can either present evidence of receiving a major, internationally recognized award (like a Nobel Price or Oscar) or provide compelling documentation that meets at least three of the following ten criteria.

Awards

Receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes for excellence in your field.

Memberships

Membership in associations that require outstanding achievements of their members.

Published Articles

Evidence of published articles about your work in professional or major trade publications or other major media outlets.

Peer Review Activities

Participation as a judge of the work of others in your field, either individually or on a panel.

Original Contributions

Evidence of your original contributions of major significance in your field.

Published Scholarly Articles

Authorship of scholarly articles in your field, featured in professional or major trade publications.

Artistic Exhibitions

Evidence of your work being displayed in artistic exhibitions or showcases.

Critical Role

Documentation of performing a leading or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation.

High Salary

Evidence of commanding a high salary or significant compensation for your services compared to others in your field.

Commercial Success

Evidence of commercial success in the performing arts, shown through box office receipts or sales figures. If these criteria do not apply to your specific occupation, you may submit comparable evidence to support your EB-1A eligibility.

Application Process

To obtain an EB-1A Green Card, you must file an I-140 Immigrant Petition and, if applicable, an I-485 Adjustment of Status Application. You can choose from two filing strategies:

Strategy 01

Concurrent Filing

If your profile is strong, you may file both the I-140 and I-485 applications together.

Strategy 02

Separate Filing

If you are uncertain about the strength of your profile, you can first file the I-140 and, upon approval, file the I-485.

Advantages of the EB-1A Green Card

No Employer Sponsorship Required

You can self-petition without needing an employer’s sponsorship.

No Job Offer Needed

You can apply even without a job offer from a U.S. employer.

Faster Processing

EB-1A applications typically avoid backlogs that affect other green card categories, allowing for concurrent filing.

No Labor Certification Needed

Unlike many other employment-based categories, there’s no need for the PERM Labor Certification process.

Premium Processing Available

Your I-140 petition can be filed under premium processing for faster approval, often in as little as 15 days.

Family Inclusion

Your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 can also be included in your EB-1A petition. If they are in the United States, they may file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) along with your application. If they are abroad, they can apply for an immigrant visa through consular processing and receive their green cards upon arrival in the United States.

Costs Involved

I-140 Filing Fee: $1015
Premium Processing Fee (optional): $2,965
I-485 Filing Fee for Principal Applicant: $1,225
I-485 Fee for Dependents over age 14: $1,225 each
I-485 Fee for Dependents under age 14: $750 each

Our Fees

EB-1A for Researchers: $3,500
EB-1A for Non-Researchers: Starting from $4,000