USCIS Details EB-1A Green Card Requirements

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released the full requirements for obtaining a green card via the EB-1A extraordinary ability route. This pathway is available to highly accomplished individuals who can apply for permanent US residence without needing a job offer or employer sponsorship.

To qualify, applicants must meet at least three of ten specified criteria or provide proof of a major internationally recognized achievement, such as a Pulitzer Prize or Olympic Medal. The criteria include receiving recognized awards, membership in prestigious associations, published material about the applicant, serving as a judge, making significant contributions, authorship of scholarly articles, displaying work at exhibitions, holding critical roles in distinguished organizations, commanding high salaries, and achieving commercial success in the arts.

The EB-1 classification also includes outstanding professors and researchers and certain multinational managers and executives, each with specific requirements. All applicants must file a Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, through USCIS, with EB-1A applicants able to self-petition.