EB-1A Green Card Guide:
Self-Sponsored Permanent Residency
Permanent residency for individuals with sustained acclaim. No employer sponsor needed. Meet 3 of 10 criteria to qualify.
Self-Petition
No employer sponsor required
Processing
6-12 months average
Standard
Meet 3 of 10 criteria + sustained acclaim
EB-1A vs. O-1A
Both require exceptional ability, but different outcomes and standards.
| Feature | O-1A | EB-1A |
|---|---|---|
| Result | Work visa (temporary) | Green card (permanent) |
| Sponsor | Employer required | Self-petition |
| Criteria | 3 of 8 | 3 of 10 + higher bar |
| Processing | 2-3 months (15 days premium) | 6-12 months (no premium) |
Common Path
Many start with O-1A (faster, slightly lower bar) then apply for EB-1A later using the same evidence plus new achievements.
The 10 EB-1A Criteria
Meet 3 of these 10 criteria. Higher bar than O-1A, but leads to green card.
1. Major Awards
Internationally recognized prizes for excellence
Examples that qualify:
- Forbes 30 Under 30, major industry awards
- Best paper/dissertation awards
- International competition winners
- Prestigious fellowships (Fulbright, Marie Curie)
USCIS Guidance
Standard higher than O-1A. Awards should have international recognition or demonstrate exceptional national achievement.
2. Elite Memberships
Membership requiring outstanding achievements
Examples that qualify:
- IEEE Fellow, ACM Distinguished Member
- Invitation-only professional groups
- Honor societies with peer nomination
- Academies requiring demonstrated excellence
USCIS Guidance
Membership must require outstanding achievements. Include selection criteria and your accomplishments at time of selection.
3. Major Press Coverage
Published material about you in major media
Examples that qualify:
- Forbes, TechCrunch, major outlet features
- University press releases republished nationally
- Industry publication profiles
- Documentary or TV features
USCIS Guidance
Must be ABOUT you in major media. Show national/international reach. Multiple smaller articles can demonstrate sustained coverage.
4. Judging Others
Reviewing work in your field
Examples that qualify:
- Journal editorial board member
- Conference program committee
- NSF/NIH grant reviewer
- Awards committee for major prizes
USCIS Guidance
Show you were selected based on expertise. Quality of venues matters - top journals and conferences carry more weight.
5. Major Contributions
Contributions of major significance to field
Examples that qualify:
- Research with 500+ citations
- Open source with 5K+ stars/significant adoption
- Products with 100K+ users or major revenue
- Patents driving industry standards
USCIS Guidance
Must prove MAJOR significance. Expert letters, citations, adoption metrics, or revenue data critical. Show field-wide impact.
6. Scholarly Articles
Publications in major professional venues
Examples that qualify:
- First-author papers in top journals
- Highly-cited conference papers
- Publications in Nature/Science family
- Book chapters showing significant impact
USCIS Guidance
Quality over quantity. 10-15 strong publications with good citations better than 50 weak ones. Impact factors matter.
7. Artistic Exhibitions
Work displayed in multiple countries
Examples that qualify:
- Exhibitions in recognized galleries/museums
- International art fairs
- Works in institutional collections
- Performances at major venues
USCIS Guidance
For artists, designers, architects. Venues must be prestigious. Show international reach through multiple countries.
8. Leading Role
Critical role at distinguished organization
Examples that qualify:
- Senior leadership at well-funded startup
- Executive role at recognized company
- PI at major research institution
- Founding team of successful venture
USCIS Guidance
Prove organization is distinguished (funding, rankings, reputation) AND your role was leading (decisions, outcomes, impact).
9. High Salary
Compensation significantly above field average
Examples that qualify:
- Top 5-10% for role/location
- $180K+ for senior technical roles
- Executive packages with equity
- Multiple high competing offers
USCIS Guidance
Top 10-15% may qualify; top 5-10% stronger. Use comprehensive salary data (BLS, industry surveys). Provide documentation.
10. Commercial Success
Success in performing arts with metrics
Examples that qualify:
- Streaming metrics (millions of plays)
- Concert/tour ticket sales documentation
- Box office success data
- Record sales or certifications
USCIS Guidance
For performing artists. Need concrete metrics showing national/international commercial success.
How TalenX Helps
EB-1A has higher standards. We assess if you demonstrate sustained international acclaim.
10 Criteria Analysis
Evaluate all 10 criteria and strength of evidence for each.
International Acclaim Check
Assess if achievements show sustained international recognition.
Gap Roadmap
Specific actions to strengthen case over 6-12 months.
Readiness Timeline
Know when you'll be ready to apply with high chances.
What You'll Receive
Success Stories
Wei Z.
ML Researcher
1,200+ citations
"Evaluation showed I had 5 of 10 criteria with strong evidence. Self-petitioned successfully."
Met 5 of 10
Priya S.
Startup Founder
$5M raised
"TalenX confirmed my company traction and press coverage were enough. Got green card in 9 months."
Met 4 of 10
Carlos M.
Designer
Major awards
"Added judging work based on evaluation. Strengthened case and approved without RFE."
Met 5 of 10
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply while on O-1A?
Yes! Many O-1A holders apply for EB-1A. You can use the same evidence plus new achievements.
How long does it take?
6-12 months on average. No premium processing available for EB-1A.
What does 'sustained acclaim' mean?
Recognition that extends beyond local/regional level, shown through national or international achievements over time.
Can I switch employers?
Yes! Once you have green card, work for anyone. Just must intend to continue in your field.