Extraordinary Ability Individuals


WORK RELATED PATHS TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY WITHOUT THE NEED FOR LABOR CERTIFICATION:


EB-1 Extraordinary Ability Eligibility

A person defined by USCIS as possessing extraordinary ability are those with "extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics which has been demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim and whose achievements have been recognized in the field through extensive documentation."

You must be one of "that small percentage who have risen to the very top of the field of endeavor," to be granted this classification. For example, if you receive a major internationally recognized award, such as a Nobel Prize, you will qualify for an EB-1 classification. Other awards may also qualify if you can document that the award is in the same class as a Nobel Prize.

Since few workers receive this type of award, alternative evidence of EB-1 classification based on at least three of the types of evidence outlined below, is permitted.

The worker may submit "other comparable evidence" if the following criteria do not apply:

1. Receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence;

2. Membership in associations in the field which demand outstanding achievement of their members;

3. Published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media;

4. Evidence that the alien has judged the work of others, either individually or on a panel;

5. Evidence of the alien's original scientific, scholarly (education), artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field;

6. Evidence of the alien's authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media;

7. Evidence that the alien's work has been displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases;

8. Performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations;

9. Evidence that the alien commands a high salary or other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field;

10. Evidence of commercial successes in the performing arts.

In order to receive a free evaluation of your potential application for a self-sponsored National Interest or Extraordinary Ability petition, please email the following items:

1. Complete Curriculum Vitae or resume. The CV should include any U.S. government funded projects on which you are working and the grant numbers, if applicable. The extraordinary ability and national interest applications are more favorably viewed if you are working on government funded projects. Please include all of your publications. If you have been asked to serve as a publications reviewer, or as a judge of the work of others, please describe that.

2. One to two page description of what you do and why it is important to U.S. taxpayers.

3. The names of at least five individuals who might be willing to write letters of recommendation on your behalf. Please include where they work. Normally, the Immigration Service is less impressed when more than two of the letter writers have the same employer as yours. The more letter writers that you can provide the better. Please indicate if there is anything special about any of these people that we should know. Describe their positions and credentials.

4. Please include your telephone numbers so that we may contact you.