Citizenship and Immigration Services Defines EB-1A Green Card Fields

The Citizenship and Immigration Services has outlined five fields in which applicants can qualify for a Green Card under the EB-1A extraordinary ability category. The EB-1A is a first-preference employment-based immigration route that does not require a job offer.

Applicants must demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim in one of five fields: sciences, arts, business, or athletics. A notable aspect of the EB-1A route is that applicants can petition for themselves by filing Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, without needing an employer to sponsor them.

In addition to the extraordinary ability classification, the EB-1 classification also includes outstanding professors and researchers, who must show at least three years of experience in teaching or research. Unlike the EB-1A route, both the outstanding professor and multinational executive categories require an employer to file the Form I-140 petition on the applicant's behalf.

Approved EB-1 visa holders can extend benefits to their immediate families, allowing a spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 to apply for admission to the United States in E-14 or E-15 immigrant status once the I-140 petition is approved.