Do I need official permission from my professional association for the EB-1?

Generally, no. The EB-1 does not require formal authorization or endorsement from your professional association or licensing board in order to file a petition. The process evaluates your recognition and professional track record, not the consent of any entity you belong to.

It is important to separate two things that are often confused: the visa petition and the practice of your profession in the United States. Obtaining the EB-1 is one matter; being able to work in your field afterward is another, and that may involve rules specific to each profession.

• Regulated professions, such as healthcare, engineering, or law, may require specific licensing or credentialing to practice in the country.
• Those requirements come from the boards and agencies that regulate the activity, not from the EB-1 petition itself.

In other words, unless your profession requires its own license to work in the destination country, you generally do not need permission from a professional association for the EB-1. It is worth confirming your field’s requirements with the official source or a qualified specialist.

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.