EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Visa
Premium green card pathway for tech professionals, researchers, and entrepreneurs who have demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim in their field.
Why Choose EB-1A?
No Employer Sponsorship
Self-petition without employer sponsorship. Freedom to change jobs or start your own company.
No Labor Certification
Skip the lengthy PERM labor certification process. Faster path to green card.
Priority Processing
EB-1 is first preference category. No backlog for most countries. Premium processing available.
Family Included
Spouse and unmarried children under 21 included in your green card application.
Eligibility Requirements
You must meet at least 3 of the following 10 criteria and demonstrate that you are among the small percentage who have risen to the very top of your field.
National/International Awards
Recognition for excellence in your field from nationally or internationally recognized organizations.
Membership in Professional Associations
Membership requiring outstanding achievements, judged by recognized experts.
Published Material About You
Articles in major media or professional publications about your work and achievements.
Judging Others' Work
Participation as a judge of the work of others in your field (e.g., peer review, conference program committees).
Original Contributions
Original scientific, scholarly, or business contributions of major significance to your field.
Scholarly Articles
Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or major media.
Critical Employment
Employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations with distinguished reputations.
High Salary
Commanded high salary or remuneration significantly above others in your field.
Additional Requirement: Final Merits Determination
Meeting 3 or more criteria is not enough. USCIS will conduct a final merits determination to assess whether the totality of evidence demonstrates sustained national or international acclaim and that you are among the small percentage at the top of your field.
EB-1A Process Timeline
Initial Consultation
1 weekAssess eligibility and strategy
Evidence Gathering
1-2 monthsCollect documents, obtain expert letters
Petition Drafting
2-4 weeksPrepare comprehensive petition package
USCIS Processing
15 days - 6 monthsPremium or regular processing
Adjustment of Status
8-12 monthsGreen card interview and approval
Total Timeline: 12-18 months from initial consultation to green card in hand
Typical Evidence for Tech Professionals
Publications & Citations
- • Research papers in peer-reviewed journals
- • Conference presentations and proceedings
- • Citation reports from Google Scholar
- • Technical blog posts with significant reach
- • Whitepapers and technical documentation
Industry Recognition
- • Company awards and recognition programs
- • Industry "40 Under 40" type lists
- • Speaking invitations at major conferences
- • Press coverage in TechCrunch, Wired, etc.
- • Patents filed or granted
Contributions & Impact
- • Open source projects (GitHub stars/forks)
- • Revenue generated from innovations
- • Users impacted by your software
- • Peer review participation
- • Salary data compared to field averages
Success Stories
AI Research Scientist
Senior researcher at major tech company with 50+ citations and conference presentations. Approved in 6 months without RFE.
Startup Founder
CTO with 3 patents, $5M in funding, and press coverage in TechCrunch and Wired. Approved via premium processing.
Software Architect
Distinguished engineer with open-source contributions, speaking engagements, and top-tier compensation. Successfully overcame RFE.
*Case details anonymized to protect client confidentiality. Results may vary based on individual circumstances.
Transparent Pricing
Attorney fees based on case complexity
Exact fee quote provided after initial consultation based on your specific case.
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Ready to Start Your EB-1A Petition?
Schedule a free 15-minute strategy call to assess your eligibility and discuss next steps.
No obligation. Confidential discussion. Typical response within 24 hours.