Meet the evidence threshold
At least three of the ten regulatory criteria, or a one-time major, internationally recognised award.
United States · EB-1A
EB-1A: the green card you file for yourself
An immigrant petition for people with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. No employer, no job offer, no labour certification.
- Status
- Permanent residence
- Sponsor
- None — self-petitioned
- Threshold
- 3 of 10 criteria
- Premium processing
- Available
what the route asks for
The requirements, in plain terms
General information, not legal advice. Your legal partner confirms how each point applies to you.
Pass the final merits review
The officer weighs the whole record to decide whether you are among the small percentage at the very top of your field.
Keep working in your field
Show that you intend to continue your work in the area of extraordinary ability in the United States.
in detail
The ten criteria
Strong petitions argue three or four of these well, rather than all of them thinly.
- 1Nationally or internationally recognised prizes or awards
- 2Membership of associations that require outstanding achievement
- 3Published material about you in professional or major media
- 4Judging the work of others in your field
- 5Original contributions of major significance
- 6Authorship of scholarly articles
- 7Display of your work at artistic exhibitions or showcases
- 8A leading or critical role for distinguished organisations
- 9A high salary or remuneration compared with others in the field
- 10Commercial success in the performing arts
how we build it
An EB-1A file, step by step
Indicative timings for a typical file. Yours depends on how much evidence already exists.
- 01
Criteria mapping
Week 1–2We score the record against all ten criteria and choose the ones an officer can verify from the outside.
- 02
Exhibits and cover notes
Week 3–8Citations, press, judging, pay benchmarks — each with a note saying which criterion it answers.
- 03
Letters and petition narrative
Week 6–9Independent expert letters and a narrative that carries the final merits review.
- 04
Attorney handover
Week 10A US-licensed attorney reviews, signs and files the petition.
EB-1A faq
Still unsure? Ask usCommon questions about EB-1A
At least three of the ten regulatory criteria, or evidence of a one-time, internationally recognised major award. Meeting the threshold is only step one: the officer then weighs the whole record to decide whether you are among the small percentage at the very top of your field.
Yes. The petition does not require you to be in the US. If you are abroad when it is approved, the green card is usually processed through a US consulate in your home country.
Yes, for an additional government fee. It speeds up the decision on the petition itself, not the later green card stage.
No. You do need to show that you intend to keep working in your area of extraordinary ability in the United States, which is usually shown with a statement and supporting documents.
the other routes
next step
Start hereFind out which country your record fits
One assessment, scored against the US, UK and Australian routes. You get a written answer, not a sales call.