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O-1, EB-1A, EB-1B

Extraordinary ability

The O-1 visa and the EB-1A green card reward people at the top of their field. The EB-1B green card serves outstanding professors and researchers. Each category has its own legal standard and list of evidentiary criteria, and the strength of a petition depends on how evidence is selected and explained. We map a client's record to the criteria, plan any missing evidence and write the petition.

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Assigned at booking

Last reviewed September 2026

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Who this is for

  • Scientists, engineers and physicians with publications, citations or patents
  • Founders and executives with funding, press coverage or high pay
  • Artists, performers and creative professionals with critical recognition
  • Athletes and coaches with national or international results
  • Professors and researchers with offers from universities or research employers

How we help

Profile review
We assess the record against each criterion and give a candid view of strength and gaps.
Evidence strategy
We plan expert letters, independent documentation and comparative evidence such as salary data.
Petition writing
We write a structured legal brief that connects every exhibit to a criterion and to the overall standard.
Premium processing
Where available, we use premium processing for a faster decision window.

The legal standard

The EB-1A criteria in plain words

An EB-1A applicant shows either a major, internationally recognized award or at least three of the ten criteria below. Meeting three is the first step. Officers then make a final merits decision on whether the full record shows sustained acclaim, following the two-step approach described in Kazarian v. USCIS (2010).

  1. 1Nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence
  2. 2Membership in associations that require outstanding achievement
  3. 3Published material about you in professional or major media
  4. 4Judging the work of others, such as peer review
  5. 5Original contributions of major significance to the field
  6. 6Authorship of scholarly articles
  7. 7Display of your work at artistic exhibitions or showcases
  8. 8A leading or critical role for distinguished organizations
  9. 9A high salary compared with others in the field
  10. 10Commercial success in the performing arts

O-1A uses a similar list of eight criteria, of which three are required, and requires a U.S. employer or agent as petitioner.

Forms involved

  • I-129Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (O-1)
  • I-140Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers (EB-1A, EB-1B)
  • I-907Request for Premium Processing Service

Government filing fees are listed on our filing fees page.

Timeline

With premium processing, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) commits to act on O-1 and EB-1A petitions within a short, published window. Evidence preparation usually takes longer than the decision itself, commonly 4 to 10 weeks depending on the record.

Document checklist

A starting list. We send a checklist for your case after the consultation.

  • Current CV with a full list of publications, patents, awards and media
  • Citation records (for example, a Google Scholar profile)
  • Letters or contact details for independent experts
  • Evidence of judging, peer review or panel service
  • Pay records and salary comparison data
  • For O-1: the U.S. employment or agency agreement and an itinerary
“Founders have little time to collect evidence. They gave me a precise checklist, drafted the expert letters with me and filed with premium processing. Approval came in under three weeks.”
Marco T., Arlington, VAO-1A visa

These reviews are illustrative examples while client reviews are being collected.

Questions clients ask

Do I need a job offer for EB-1A?
No. EB-1A allows self-petitioning, though the applicant must show they plan to keep working in the field in the United States.
What is the difference between O-1 and EB-1A?
O-1 is a temporary work visa and needs a U.S. petitioner. EB-1A is a green card category and allows self-petitioning. Many clients start with O-1 and later file EB-1A.
How many citations do I need?
There is no fixed number. Officers look at what the citations show about impact. A focused argument with strong independent letters can outweigh raw counts.
What is premium processing?
An optional service in which USCIS commits to act within a set period for an extra fee. As of 1 October 2026 the fee schedule lists $2,965 for O-1 and EB-1 petitions.
Can my spouse and children come with me?
Yes. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 can accompany O-1 holders in O-3 status and EB-1 applicants as derivatives.
Do founders qualify for O-1?
Often, yes. Funding from established investors, press coverage, judging roles and a critical role in a distinguished company can all support the case. The company itself can act as petitioner.
What is EB-1B?
EB-1B is for outstanding professors and researchers with international recognition and at least three years of experience. It requires a qualifying job offer and at least two of six criteria.
Can a request for evidence (RFE) be avoided?
No method guarantees it. A well-organized petition that addresses each criterion with independent evidence leaves fewer gaps for an officer to question.

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