Understanding the 10 criteria for Extraordinary Ability and how we help you build a strong profile
Disclaimer: We provide profile building and application preparation services. We are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. Please consult an immigration attorney for legal guidance.
The EB-1A visa category is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. This is a self-sponsored green card option that does not require a job offer or labor certification.
To qualify, you must demonstrate that you have risen to the very top of your field through sustained national or international acclaim. You can prove this by either:
Receipt of a major internationally recognized award (like Nobel Prize, Oscar, Olympic Medal)
Meeting at least 3 out of 10 criteria listed by USCIS, plus evidence of sustained acclaim
Since major international awards are rare, the vast majority of successful EB-1A applicants qualify by meeting at least 3 of the 10 criteria. Our expertise lies in helping you identify, document, and present your qualifications under these criteria.
You need to meet at least 3 of these 10 criteria. We help you identify which ones you qualify for and build compelling evidence.
Receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor.
We identify all qualifying awards in your history, document their significance, and establish their national/international recognition through comprehensive evidence packages.
Membership in associations in the field which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts.
We research membership requirements, document the selective nature of associations, and guide you toward obtaining prestigious memberships that strengthen your case.
Published material about you in professional or major trade publications or other major media, relating to your work in the field.
We develop media outreach strategies, connect you with journalists, help craft press-worthy stories about your work, and compile comprehensive media coverage documentation.
Participation, either individually or on a panel, as a judge of the work of others in the same or an allied field.
We guide you to peer review opportunities, help you join program committees, document all judging activities with proper verification, and emphasize the significance of your judging role.
Evidence of your original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field.
We help articulate your contributions' significance, obtain expert testimonials confirming impact, document adoption by others, and present quantifiable evidence of influence in your field.
Authorship of scholarly articles in the field, in professional or major trade publications or other major media.
We assist with publication strategy, target high-impact venues, provide writing guidance, analyze citation metrics, and document the prestige of publication outlets with evidence packages.
Display of your work in the field at artistic exhibitions or showcases (more relevant for artists, designers, architects).
For creative professionals, we document exhibition histories, emphasize venue prestige, obtain curator statements, and compile reviews and critical reception of displayed works.
Performance in a leading or critical role for organizations or establishments with a distinguished reputation.
We document your role's criticality, establish organization reputation, obtain letters from colleagues/supervisors, and quantify impact of your leadership on organizational success.
Evidence that you have commanded a high salary or other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field.
Important: Must be compared to industry statistics (Bureau of Labor Statistics, industry surveys, salary databases) to demonstrate you're in the top percentile.
We compile comparative salary data, document total compensation packages, obtain employer verification letters, and present statistical analysis showing you're in the top tier of your field.
Evidence of commercial successes in the performing arts, such as box office receipts or record, cassette, compact disk, or video sales.
Note: While traditionally for performing arts, USCIS has accepted broader interpretations for business professionals, showing commercial success through product sales, user adoption, or market impact.
We document sales figures, compile market data, obtain company verification, and present comprehensive evidence of commercial impact demonstrating your extraordinary ability to generate success.
We don't just document what you've done—we strategically build your profile to meet EB-1A standards
We analyze your current profile, identify which criteria you can meet, and create a strategic roadmap for building missing evidence.
We guide you to acquire awards, memberships, media coverage, judging opportunities, and other qualifying evidence.
We compile comprehensive evidence packages, draft compelling petitions, and handle all aspects of the USCIS filing process.
Schedule a consultation to assess your eligibility and create your personalized strategy