Green Cards

Are you a creative, entrepreneur or professional looking for a way to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. through a green card without needing an employer to sponsor you? If so, the EB-1 green card may be a great option as it allows you to self-petition by demonstrating your extraordinary abilities and outstanding achievements in your field.  

EB-1A: Green Cards for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability

You may be eligible for an EB-1A green card if you can demonstrate that you are an individual with extraordinary ability in the arts, business, sciences, athletics, education, by either:

1. Having received a major, internationally-recognized award (i.e. Nobel Prize, Pulitzer, Oscar, Grammy, or Olympic Medal); or

2. Meeting at least three of the ten criteria below:

  • You have received lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards;

  • You are a member of associations in the field that require outstanding achievement of their members;

  • You have published material about you in major media;

  • You have judged the work of others;

  • You have original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field;

  • You have authored scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media;

  • You have displayed your work at artistic exhibitions or showcases;

  • You have performed a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations;

  • You command a high salary or other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field; or

  • You have commercial successes in the performing arts

EB-1B: Green Cards for Outstanding Professors and Researchers

You may be eligible for an EB-1B green card if you can demonstrate that you are a professor or researcher with outstanding achievements in a particular academic field, by:

1. Showing you have garnered international recognition for your outstanding achievements;

2. Having at least three years of experience in teaching or research in your academic field;

3. Having a U.S. job offer consisting of tenure, tenure track teaching or a comparable research position at either a university, an institution of higher education or a private employer; and

4. Meet at least two of the six criteria below:

  • You have received major prizes or awards for outstanding achievement;

  • You are a member of associations that require outstanding achievements;

  • You have published material in professional publications written by others about your work;

  • You have judged the work of others;

  • You have original scientific or scholarly contributions in your field; or

  • You have authored scholarly books or articles in academic or scholarly journals with international circulation.

EB-1C: Green Cards for Multinational Managers or Executives

You may be eligible for an EB-1C green card if you can demonstrate that you are a multinational manager or executive and have been working in an executive or managerial capacity for an employer abroad continuously for one year in the last three years (or prior to your most recent visa admission if you are already working in the U. S. for your employer) and that you intend to work at a branch, affiliate, parent or subsidiary of your current employer in an executive or managerial role.  

EB-2: National Interest Waiver

You may qualify for a green card based on a National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition if you have an advanced degree or exceptional ability in the arts, business or sciences and if:

  • Your proposed endeavor in the U.S. has both substantial merit and national importance;

  • You are well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor; and

  • It would be beneficial to the U.S. to waive the requirements of a job offer and the labor certification.