Does the EB-1B require exclusivity with the university?

The EB-1B is the green card pathway for outstanding professors and researchers, and one of its core requirements is a permanent job offer, typically from a university or equivalent research institution. The institution must demonstrate that it is seeking the professional for a stable, long-term position.

That said, this is not the same as full exclusivity. What the EB-1B requires is a genuine and consistent commitment to the sponsoring institution, not that you abandon every form of external collaboration. Parallel teaching or research activities are generally possible, provided they do not conflict with the responsibilities of your primary role.

In practice, the key points are:

• A real permanent position and a consistent offer from the institution must exist.
• You must contribute meaningfully to that institutional environment.
• Any external partnerships must not undermine the central employment relationship.

Because the interpretation of these rules can vary from case to case, it is worth checking the current requirements with USCIS and aligning the structure of the offer with a specialist before filing.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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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.