EB-1 Visa: Green Card for Exceptional Talents in the USA

The EB-1 is the first preference among employment-based green card categories in the United States. Aimed at professionals with exceptional qualifications, this visa offers one of the most direct paths to American permanent residency, waiving the labor certification (PERM) stage that makes other processes longer and more bureaucratic. As of April 2026, the category remains current in the Visa Bulletin for most countries, meaning there is no significant waiting list for eligible applicants.

Unlike other categories such as EB-2 and EB-3, the EB-1 was designed to attract top-level talent: award-winning scientists, internationally recognized artists, multinational executives, and researchers with significant contributions in their fields. There are three distinct subcategories, each with its own criteria and requirements that determine who can qualify.

Three EB-1 Subcategories

The EB-1 category is divided into three paths, each designed for a specific professional profile. Choosing the correct subcategory is crucial for the success of the petition, as eligibility criteria vary substantially between them.

EB-1A: Extraordinary Ability

The EB-1A is intended for professionals who demonstrate extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. It is the only subcategory that allows for self-petition, meaning the applicant can submit Form I-140 without the need for a sponsoring employer or job offer in the US. This independence makes the EB-1A the most flexible option for professionals who wish to control their own immigration process.

EB-1B: Outstanding Professors and Researchers

The EB-1B serves professors and researchers who are internationally recognized for outstanding academic contributions. The applicant must prove at least three years of experience in teaching or research in the field and have a permanent job offer in the US as a tenured professor, researcher, or equivalent position. Universities, research institutes, and private companies with research departments can sponsor petitions in this subcategory.

EB-1C: Multinational Executives and Managers

The EB-1C is aimed at executives and managers transferred internally within multinational companies. The applicant must have worked for at least one of the last three years in an executive or managerial position at the company abroad, being transferred to a similar position at the related US entity. This subcategory is widely used by global business groups that maintain operations in the United States.

Criteria for EB-1A

To qualify for the EB-1A, the applicant must demonstrate that they are among the small percentage of professionals who have reached the top of their field. The USCIS accepts as evidence the achievement of a major internationally recognized award, such as a Nobel or Pulitzer, or meeting at least three of the following ten criteria:

• National or international awards or recognitions for excellence in the field
• Membership in associations that require outstanding achievements from their members
• Published material in professional or major media about the applicant’s work
• Participation as a judge or evaluator of the work of other professionals
• Original contributions of major significance to the field
• Authorship of scholarly articles in prestigious publications or specialized media
• Works displayed in artistic exhibitions or demonstrations of relevance
• Leadership role or critical position in organizations of recognized reputation
• High remuneration compared to other professionals in the same field
• Commercial success in performing arts, demonstrated by box office, sales, or equivalent metrics

USCIS evaluates the totality of the evidence presented, considering both the quantity and quality of the criteria met. Meeting exactly three criteria does not automatically guarantee approval; the immigration officer analyzes whether the body of evidence demonstrates that the applicant is indeed at the top of their field.

Requirements for EB-1B and EB-1C

The EB-1B requires the applicant to prove international recognition for exceptional academic achievements. Accepted evidence includes publications in high-impact journals, participation in editorial boards or peer review committees, academic contributions cited by other researchers, and awards for intellectual achievements. The US employer must offer a permanent position in a teaching or research role.

The EB-1C, on the other hand, differs by focusing on the corporate relationship between entities. The US petitioning company must have a qualified corporate relationship with the foreign company, which can be parent-subsidiary, branch, or affiliate. The applicant must demonstrate that they performed genuine executive or managerial functions, with authority over teams, operations, or key functions of the organization, and merely supervising frontline operational activities is not sufficient.

Fees and Costs in 2026

The costs of an EB-1 petition involve mandatory government fees paid to USCIS at the time of submitting Form I-140. The fee structure in effect as of April 2026 is as follows:

The total base petition cost for an EB-1A self-petitioner is US$ 1,000 (I-140 plus Asylum Program Fee). If opting for premium processing, the total rises to US$ 3,965. These amounts do not include attorney fees, certified translation costs for documents, or consular fees, which vary case by case.

Processing Times

Standard processing of the I-140 in the EB-1 category ranges from 4.5 to 22.5 months, depending on the USCIS service center receiving the petition and the complexity of the case. The premium processing option guarantees an initial response within 15 business days, which may be approval, denial, or issuance of a Request for Evidence (RFE). Since March 1, 2026, the premium processing fee is US$ 2,965, as adjusted for inflation under the USCIS Stabilization Act.

For applicants from countries without a backlog, such as Brazil, the EB-1 category is current in the April 2026 Visa Bulletin. This means that once the I-140 is approved, the beneficiary can immediately proceed with adjustment of status (I-485) or consular processing, without waiting for visa availability. Applicants born in China and India face cutoff dates retroactive to December 2023.

Strategic Advantages of the EB-1

The main advantage of the EB-1 over other employment-based categories is the waiver of the PERM labor certification, a process that adds months or even years to a green card timeline. In addition, the EB-1A offers the possibility of self-petition, eliminating dependence on a US employer. For professionals able to demonstrate excellence in their fields, the EB-1 represents the fastest and most direct path to permanent residency in the United States.

The combination of expedited processing, absence of PERM, and current dates in the Visa Bulletin for most countries makes the EB-1 a particularly attractive category in 2026. For candidates who meet the criteria, investing in the preparation of a robust and well-documented petition can mean the difference between months and years in the immigration process.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.