Can I combine the EB-1A quota with EB-1B?

No. EB-1A (extraordinary ability) and EB-1B (outstanding professors and researchers) are subcategories within the same EB-1 group, but each has its own criteria and is evaluated independently. There is no mechanism to combine or transfer quota from one to the other.

What an applicant can do, if they genuinely meet the requirements of both, is petition through more than one route. This does not pool visa availability or create an extra spot: it simply offers more than one path to demonstrate eligibility, and each petition is adjudicated on its own merits by the immigration authority.

In practice, the decision to focus on one subcategory or to file under both depends on your individual profile. A researcher with strong international recognition, for example, may have solid arguments for both EB-1A and EB-1B, but each track requires building its own independent evidentiary record.

Because this kind of strategy has a direct impact on your case, it is worth reviewing the current requirements on the USCIS website and consulting a specialist to determine which route (or routes) best fits your background.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.