The EB-1 Visa is a U.S. employment-based immigrant visa for foreign nationals with outstanding achievement in one of the following areas: extraordinary ability, multinational managers or executives, or outstanding professors and researchers.
The EB-1 is of major significance because it provides a path to U.S. permanent residency (Green Card), especially the EB-1A for extraordinary ability and does not require labor certification. This guide will provide everything you need to know about the EB-1 Visa, including requirements, associated costs, and the application process.
EB-1 Green Card – Key Takeaways
Benefits of EB-1 Green Card
The EB-1 comes with various advantages, including:
- Path to a Green Card: Employment-based immigrants can receive a Green Card through employment in the U.S. This allows foreign nationals to live, work, and travel in and out of the United States.
- No labor certification: Unlike other visas, such as the EB-2 or EB-3, the EB-1 doesn’t require applicants to undergo the PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) process. Visa availability is very high.
- Path to citizenship: EB-1 residents may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship via naturalization after 5 years of continuous residence in the country.
- Faster processing times: The EB-1 immigrant visa is for priority workers with outstanding achievement, meaning it has very little backlog and shorter processing times.
- Family inclusion: Immediate family members (spouse and children under 21) may qualify as derivative beneficiaries and obtain permanent residence alongside the main applicant.
- Self-petition option (EB-1A): The EB-1A allows foreign nationals to self-petition, meaning they don’t need a labor certification or job offer.
What is an EB-1 Green Card?
An EB-1 Green Card is an employment-based, first-preference United States visa that grants permanent residency to foreign individuals who can demonstrate extraordinary ability, are advanced researchers or professors, or are multinational executives and managers. It is a highly sought-after, fast-tracked path to legal permanent residency in the United States that does not require a job offer/employer sponsorship (if EB-1A) or a PERM labor certification.
Who qualifies for the EB-1 Green Card?
You qualify for the EB-1 Green Card if you fall in any of the following categories:
- have national/international acclaim and can self-petition (EB-1A)
- are a professor/researcher with a U.S. offer and a strong record (EB-1B)
- are a multinational manager/executive transferring to the U.S. (EB-1C)
How long is the EB-1 Visa valid?
The EB-1 Visa is an immigrant visa that grants a Green Card (permanent residence) to the holder. This means you can live and work in the United States indefinitely as a permanent resident under an EB-1 Visa.
EB-1 Green Card Categories
The EB-1 has three subcategories: extraordinary ability (EB-1A), outstanding professors and researchers (EB-1B), and multinational managers or executives (EB-1C). Here is a quick look at the EB1 Green Card categories.
| Feature | EB-1A | EB-1B | EB-1C |
| Best for? | Individuals with extraordinary ability in science, education, business, arts, or athletics | Professors and researchers with international academic recognition | Multinational managers or executives transferring to a U.S. company |
| Job offer required? | No | Yes – From a U.S. university or qualifying research institution | Yes – From a U.S. multinational company |
| Labor certification required? | No | No | No |
| Self-petition allowed? | Yes | No | No |
| Core requirements | Proof of outstanding achievement, such as an Olympic Medal, an Oscar, a Pulitzer, or other. | Have a job offer from a potential American employer. The employer must be able to hire at least three full-time researchers. | Proof of qualifying employment abroad, a job offer for a managerial or executive role in the U.S., and documentation of the U.S. company’s business operations. |
| Evidence needed | Major awards, media coverage, judging others’ work, leading roles, significant contributions | Scholarly publications, citations, peer review, academic awards | Organizational charts, executive authority, corporate structure documentation |
| Experience needed | No fixed minimum, but sustained achievement required | Minimum 3 years teaching or research experience | Minimum 1 year managerial/executive experience abroad |
| Main advantage | No job offer needed; fastest direct path to permanent residence | Strong pathway for academics with institutional sponsorship | Great route for multinational corporate transfers |
EB-1A: Extraordinary ability
The EB-1A is an employment-based immigrant visa classification for foreigners with extraordinary ability in their academic field or other areas. This first-preference visa can provide a fast-track opportunity to U.S. permanent residency for qualified individuals. This EB-1 Visa doesn’t require a labor certification or a job offer.
Applicants must demonstrate outstanding achievement and major contributions through documentation that demonstrates their recognized excellence. To qualify, You must meet 3 of the 10 criteria outlined below (or comparable evidence if any of the criteria do not readily apply).
- Proof of receiving nationally or internationally recognized awards that distinguish you for excellence in your field
- Membership in professional associations that require outstanding achievements for admission
- Published articles or media coverage highlighting your work in reputable industry publications or major media outlets
- Invitations to serve as a judge or evaluator of the work of other professionals, whether individually or as part of a panel
- Documentation of original contributions that have had a significant impact on your field
- Authorship of scholarly articles or professional publications circulated within major trade or academic platforms
- Evidence that your work has been showcased at recognized exhibitions, performances, or industry events
- Records demonstrating that you have held a leading or essential role within distinguished organizations
- Documentation showing that your compensation is significantly higher than others working in the same field
- Proof of notable commercial success, particularly within the performing arts
EB-1B: Outstanding professors and researchers
The EB-1B is an immigrant visa classification for outstanding professors and researchers in higher education. Applicants must show outstanding achievement and at least three years’ experience in their academic field, with scholarly research contributions and professional publications. For example, foreigners can provide scholarly articles or professional publications and a tenure-track teaching offer.
To qualify for the EB-1B, you must meet 2 of the 6 USCIS criteria outlined below:
- Evidence of receipt of major prizes or awards for outstanding achievement
- Evidence of membership in associations that require their members to demonstrate outstanding achievement
- Evidence of published material in professional publications written by others about the alien’s work in the academic field
- Evidence of participation, either on a panel or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same or allied academic field
- Evidence of original scientific or scholarly research contributions in the field
- Evidence of authorship of scholarly books or articles (in scholarly journals with international circulation) in the field
EB-1C: Multinational manager or executive
The EB-1C is an immigrant visa classification for multinational managers making business-related contributions. Compared to the EB-1A and EB-1B, the EB-1C doesn’t demand outstanding achievement. Instead, the requirements are based on the qualifying work experience.
Applicants must work in a managerial or executive capacity and enter the U.S. to fill an executive position. To qualify for the EB-1C, the following employer requirements must be met:
- The petitioning company must be a U.S. employer.
- The employer must intend to hire you in a managerial or executive capacity in the United States.
- The U.S. company must have been actively doing business for at least one year.
- The U.S. entity must have a qualifying relationship (such as a parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch relationship) with the foreign company that previously employed you.
- You must have worked for the related foreign entity in a managerial or executive role prior to the transfer.
What is the difference between EB-1 and EB-2?
The EB-1 and EB-2 Visas are both employment-based immigrant visas that lead to permanent residence in the United States. However, they differ in their labor certification requirements, eligibility standards, and overall processing times. The table below highlights the differences between both immigration pathways.
| Feature | EB-1 Visa | EB-2 Visa |
| Eligibility | Individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding academic recognition, or multinational executive experience | Advanced degree professionals or individuals with exceptional ability |
| Level of recognition required | Sustained national or international acclaim (EB-1A) or senior multinational leadership | Advanced degree OR exceptional ability (lower threshold than EB-1A) |
| Labor Certification (PERM) required? | No | Yes, except under EB-2 NIW (where applicants can self-petition) |
| Job offer needed? | Yes, in most cases except under EB-1A | Yes, unless applying under the National Interest Waiver (NIW) |
EB-1 Visa Application Process
Here is a step-by-step process to apply for the EB-1 Green Card.
- Step 1: File and submit Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker), along with the supporting documents. This petition will be filed by your employer, if you are applying for EB-1B or EB-1C, or by yourself, if you’re applying for EB-1A.
- Step 2: Once the I-140 petition is approved, you will make an Immigrant Visa Electronic Application (Form DS-260), using consular processing at a US Embassy or consulate abroad. However, if you are already living in the US, you will apply to adjust your status (Form I-485).
- Step 3: Attend a biometrics appointment to provide fingerprints, photographs, and signatures. You will also need to attend the immigration medical exam.
- Step 4: Attend the visa interview.
- Step 5: If the application is approved, you will receive your Green Card, allowing you to work and live in the United States.
EB-1 Fees and Costs
When applying, there are several fees and costs to consider, which change depending on whether you are applying from outside or inside the US.
Applying from within the US (adjustment of status)
- Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) filing fee: $715
- Form I-485 (the application to adjust status for applicants living in the US) filing fee: $950-$1,140 per person. (This fee varies depending on age)
- Biometrics fee (if applicable): $85
- Premium processing fee (optional): $2,805
- Medical examination (performed by an authorized physician): $100 to $500 (depending on the doctor and the location)
Applying from outside the US (consular processing)
- Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) filing fee: $715
- DS-260 (immigrant visa electronic application) fee: $325 per person
- Immigrant fee: $235
- Premium processing (optional): $2,805
- Medical examination (performed by an authorized physician): $100 to $500 (depending on the doctor and the location)
EB1 Green Card Processing Time
The average EB-1 Visa application timeline ranges from eight to 37 months. However, the processing time varies based on the number of applicants, workload, application process, and priority date.
In most cases, the Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition) takes 12 months to process. Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) or Consular Processing takes about 12.5 months. To speed up the overall processing time, it is best to invest in premium processing, which requires an additional fee of $2,805.
For those applying from abroad, the case is handled by the National Visa Center (NVC) and forwarded to the nearest embassy or consulate for an in-person interview. The timeline for this stage varies based on location.
Why work with Global Citizen Solutions?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens. With offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security.
- We have helped hundreds of clients from 35+ countries in all the top Residency by Investment and Citizenship by Investment programs. With an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the area, we provide our clients with solid guidance. We have a team of immigration lawyers, and immigration advisers specialized in US immigration.
- Our team has never had a case rejected. Our 100 percent approval rate sets us apart from our competitors and guarantees that you can expect a successful application.
- Our transparent pricing covers all the processes from opening your bank account, document certification, and legal due diligence to investment and submission. As there is one fee for the entire process, you can be confident that you will not face any hidden costs later.
- All data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server. You can be safe knowing that your personal data is treated with the utmost security.
- Global Citizen Solutions provides an all-encompassing solution. Our support can continue even after you receive your passport. We offer additional services such as company incorporation, Trusts, and Foundations formation.
- The BeGlobal Onboarding System® allows you to access the status of your application every step of the way, something that sets us apart from our competitors.
