EB-1A Green Card|EB1 Visa
Criteria
EB-1A green cards|EB1 Visa (s) are available to those who can demonstrate that they have made it to the very top of the field of endeavor. Applicants in the EB-1A category are eligible to “self-petition” - which means no sponsor, petitioner, or job offer is required.
To determine whether you’re qualified, USCIS will use a two-part analysis. In the first part of the analysis, they will evaluate your work history based on 10 criteria. If they determine that you meet 3 or more of the 10 criteria, then they move on the second part of the analysis where they ask themselves, “does the totality of the evidence demonstrate that this applicant is at the very top of his or her field of endeavor?”
The criteria they will consider are:
(i) Documentation of the alien’s receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor;
(ii) Documentation of the alien’s membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought, which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts in their disciplines or fields;
(iii) Published material about the alien in professional or major trade publications or other major media, relating to the alien’s work in the field for which classification is sought. Such evidence shall include the title, date, and author of the material, and any necessary translation;
(iv) Evidence of the alien’s participation, either individually or on a panel, as a judge of the work of others in the same or an allied field of specification for which classification is sought;
(v) Evidence of the alien’s original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business- related contributions of major significance in the field;
(vi) Evidence of the alien’s authorship of scholarly articles in the field, in professional
or major trade publications or other major media;
(vii) Evidence of the display of the alien’s work in the field at artistic exhibitions or showcases;
(viii) Evidence that the alien has performed in a leading or critical role for organizations or establishments that have a distinguished reputation;
(ix) Evidence that the alien has commanded a high salary or other significantly high remuneration for services, in relation to others in the field; or
(x) Evidence of commercial successes in the performing arts, as shown by box office receipts or record, cassette, compact disk, or video sales.
If the above standards do not readily apply to the applicant’s occupation, comparable evidence may be used to establish the applicant’s eligibility.
How can you meet each of these criteria?
Awards
You must be the winner. Nominations don’t count.
The award must be given to you personally, or else given for your work
Press about your win
Photos of award or copy of award certificate
Printout from organization website listing you as winner
Membership in Exclusive Organizations
Proof of your membership
Must provide detailed membership and evaluation requirements (either from website or letter from the organization)
National or International Recognition
Articles discussing your awards, nominations, or other recognition
Each article must include English translation (if not in English), name of publication, name of article, date of publication, name of the author
Must provide circulation figures/viewership statistics for each publication along with background information
Judging the Work of Your Peers
Proof that you were a judge at a non-student competition in your field
Proof that you served as a peer reviewer of scholarly articles
Proof that as a VC you judged which companies received funding
Letter of recommendation confirming that you were selected due to your standing in the field
Original Contribution of Significance to Your Field
Press discussing your original contribution (if you are the first or only one to do something in your field, which is then emulated by others in your field)
Testimonials from experts or published articles discussing the importance of your contribution to your field or society at large
Authorship of Scholarly Articles in Publications
Copies of articles you have written that have been published
Citation information about your article
Background information about the journal or other publication where your article appeared
Exhibition at Showcases
Marketing materials announcing your show/performance
Published reviews of your exhibition/performance
Lead and Starring Role in Distinguished Productions or Events
Press about your past work with specific companies or organizations
Letters of support from previous employers or high-level executives or managers you work(ed) with at the organizations discussing your duties and importance to the organization
High Salary
Comparative information about earnings your profession in your home country
Past or future contracts showing an income that is in the top 25% according to US Dept of Labor (ask an attorney)
Pay stubs showing you earned a high salary
Commercial Success in the Performing Arts
Articles stating box office figures, strong TV ratings information, sales information, sold out performances
Letters from producers or theater management stating ticket sales were sold out, strong sales, engagement was extended due to popular demand, etc.
Any evidence that is impressive but doesn’t fit squarely into any of the 10 criteria above should be included in the “Final Merits Determination” section, such as award nominations, being named in a Top 10 list, being an invited speaker at a conference, or quoting testimonials from industry experts within your field.
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