The EB-1A Green Card of Extraordinary Ability

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EB-1A Benefits:

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• Grants U.S. Permanent Residency (a Green Card) for you, your spouse, and unmarried children under 21.
   

• Allows self-petitioning — no U.S. employer or company is required, making it ideal for entrepreneurs, and other self-employed individuals such as artists and athletes.
   

• Can be processed relatively quickly through Premium Processing.
   

• For those who are still developing their professional profiles, it is often advisable to start with the temporary O-1 visa, and later transition to the EB-1A.

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Basic EB-1A Green Card Requirements:

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• Demonstrate extraordinary ability — meaning you’re statistically among the top professionals in your field. Significant evidence is required, and unless you can demonstate receipt of a majorly-recognized international award (such as an olympic medal), this normally requires showing evidence of at least three of the following:

  • ​Lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in your  field;

  • Membership in associations in the field which require outstanding achievements of their members;

  • Published material about you and/or your work (in major media, for example). Such material shall have a listed author;

  • Participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same or in an allied field;

  • Original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field;

  • Authorship of scholarly articles in the field, in professional journals, or other major media;

  • Display of your work in the field at artistic exhibitions or showcases;

  • Performance in a leading or critical role for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation; 

  • Commercial successes in the performing arts, as shown by box office receipts or record, cassette, C.D., or video sales; and,

  • A past high salary or other remueration for services, or credible indications of future high earnings in the field.

• Demonstrate intentions to continue working in the United States in your area of extraordianry ability (again no job offer or U.S. employer is required).