The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has outlined the requirements for applicants seeking permanent residency through the EB-1 first-preference category, including who may qualify under its extraordinary ability stream.
The EB-1 classification has three groups: people with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, and certain multinational executives or managers.
Five fields qualify under EB-1A
Applicants seeking an EB-1A Green Card must demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim in at least one of five fields: science, arts, education, business or athletics.
The route allows eligible applicants to submit Form I-140, the Petition for Alien Worker, on their own behalf. They do not need a job offer or an employer to sponsor their application, although they must still meet the eligibility requirements.
Other EB-1 categories have different requirements
The outstanding professor and researcher category requires applicants to show at least three years of experience in teaching or research.
Unlike EB-1A applicants, those applying as outstanding professors or researchers, as well as multinational executives or managers, need a US employer to file Form I-140 on their behalf.
Family members may also qualify
After an I-140 petition is approved, an applicant’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 may be eligible to apply to enter the US as immigrants.
Spouses may qualify for E-14 status, while children may qualify for E-15 status.
