EB-1 (Outstanding Professors and Researchers)
EB-1 (Outstanding Professors and Researchers)
This category is an employment-based, first-preference visa for outstanding professors or researchers.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
You must demonstrate international recognition for your outstanding achievements in a particular academic field. You must have at least 3 years experience in teaching or research in that cademic area. You must be entering the United States in order to pursue tenure or tenure track teaching or comparable research position at a university or other institution of higher education.
GENERALLY REQUIRED EVIDENCE (You must meet 2 of 6 criteria below)
• Evidence of receipt of major prizes or awards for outstanding achievement
• Evidence of membership in an association that requires 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
PROCEDURE
Stage 1: Petition Support Letters Evidence
Stage 2: Submit Petition to USCIS
Stage 3: Fingerprint EAD/AP Issuance
Stage 4: Approval
TIME FRAMES
Stage 1 to Stage 2: about 3 months
Stage 2 to Stage 3: about 2 months
Stage 3 to Stage 4: about 1-6 months (depending on whether you use premium processing)
EXCEPTIONS & NOTICE
A. We help to define and demonstrate your achievements that have been internationally recognized in the field of expertise.
B. We help to draft advisory opinion letters
C. We help to put forward the best evidence
EXCEPTIONS & NOTICE
A. You must submit an offer of employment from the prospective U.S. employer
B. Premium Processing (15 day result on I-140 at the extra fee of $1,225) is applicable
C. The time period between Stage 1 and Stage 2 may vary case by case due to the complexity of the case
D. Many O visa holders believe that they are sufficiently qualified for the EB-1 category based on their O visa approvals. However, the standard of EB-1 is higher than O visa standard.