Overview

Who qualifies for EB-1A?

The EB-1A green card is reserved for individuals who have risen to the very top of their field — scientists whose work is shaping their discipline, artists with sustained international acclaim, athletes at the elite level, and business leaders whose contributions have had widespread industry impact.

Unlike most employment-based green cards, EB-1A requires no job offer, no employer sponsor, and no labor market test. The petitioner files on their own behalf — or alongside an attorney — and must demonstrate extraordinary ability through a pattern of documentation across recognized criteria.

Because EB-1A sits in the first preference category, it typically has the shortest wait times among employment-based green cards, often with current priority dates for nationals of most countries. For O-1A holders, it is the natural path to permanence using much of the same evidentiary record.

Eligibility criteria

What USCIS looks for.

EB-1A applicants must satisfy at least three of the following ten criteria — or demonstrate a one-time achievement equivalent to a Nobel Prize, Olympic medal, or Academy Award.

01

Prizes & awards

Receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field.

02

Membership

Membership in associations that require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized experts.

03

Published material

Published material in professional or major trade publications, newspapers, or other major media about you and your work.

04

Judging

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

05

Original contributions

Original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field.

06

Scholarly articles

Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or other major media in the field.

07

Artistic exhibitions

Display of your work at artistic exhibitions or showcases of a distinguished reputation.

08

Leading or critical role

Performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations or establishments.

09

High salary

Command of a high salary or other remuneration for services, evidenced by contracts or comparable data.

10

Commercial success

Commercial success in the performing arts, as shown by box office receipts, record sales, or ratings.

Pricing

Transparent fees.

Fixed fees quoted upfront. Government filing fees are separate and vary by processing speed. Adjustment of status or consular processing fees are additional.

Self-petition
$8,500
Attorney fees only
Profile evaluation
Petition drafting
Evidence strategy
Filing management
RFE response included
EB-1A + O-1A bundle
$12,500
File both simultaneously
Everything in Self-petition
Concurrent O-1A filing
Work authorization while waiting
Shared evidence package
Priority case management
Adjustment of status
$3,500
After I-140 approval
I-485 preparation
Work & travel permits
Biometrics coordination
Interview preparation
Green card issuance support
What to expect

Timeline from evaluation to green card.

EB-1A typically moves faster than other employment-based categories. For nationals of most countries, priority dates are current — meaning no wait in the visa backlog after I-140 approval.

1

Initial evaluation

We review your background, assess your criteria strength, and give you an honest read on your EB-1A eligibility.

1–2 business days
2

Evidence gathering

We work with you to compile peer letters, citation records, awards documentation, salary data, and proof of judging or reviewing work.

4–8 weeks
3

Petition drafting

Your attorney drafts the I-140 petition and support letter, framing your record for USCIS adjudicators across all qualifying criteria.

3–4 weeks
4

USCIS I-140 adjudication

We file the I-140 petition. Premium processing delivers a decision in 15 business days. Regular processing takes 6–12 months.

15 days – 12 months
5

Adjustment or consular processing

If you're in the US, we file I-485 for adjustment of status. If abroad, we manage NVC and consular processing. Both paths lead to a green card.

6–18 months
FAQ

Common questions.

No. EB-1A is one of the few green card categories that allows self-petition. You file on your own behalf — no employer needs to be involved. This makes it especially valuable for independent researchers, artists, and entrepreneurs who may not have a single sponsoring employer.
O-1A is a temporary work visa; EB-1A is a permanent green card. Both require demonstrating extraordinary ability, and both share similar evidentiary criteria — which is why many people file both at the same time. O-1A is faster to obtain and provides work authorization while the EB-1A is pending. EB-1A leads to permanent residence.
Both allow self-petition and require no labor certification. EB-1A sets the higher bar — extraordinary ability — but generally has faster processing and better priority date availability. EB-2 NIW requires demonstrating that your work serves the US national interest. For those who meet the extraordinary ability standard, EB-1A is typically the stronger path.
Yes, and we often recommend it. Filing both simultaneously lets you secure work authorization (O-1A) quickly while your green card is being processed. The petitions share much of the same evidence, so filing together is more efficient than filing separately at different times.
With premium processing, the I-140 petition is adjudicated in 15 business days. After approval, nationals of most countries can immediately file for adjustment of status (if in the US) or proceed through consular processing. The full path from filing to green card in hand typically takes 12–24 months, depending on USCIS and NVC processing volumes.
Yes. EB-1 priority dates are current for most countries, meaning there is no backlog wait after I-140 approval. However, nationals of India and China face long priority date backlogs in the EB-1 category due to per-country limits. We factor this into the strategy — and for affected nationals, concurrent O-1A filing to maintain status during the wait is especially important.