EB-1B: I have 2 years of post-doctoral experience and 1 year of teaching during my PhD. Does this time count toward the minimum required?

The EB-1B category for outstanding professors and researchers requires proof of a minimum period of experience in teaching or research at the academic level. The question is not simply about adding up months on paper: what matters is how that time was carried out.

Experience accumulated while you were still in training, such as teaching during your doctoral program, may be interpreted differently by the immigration authority. In many cases, that period is treated as part of academic training rather than as independent professional experience, which affects how it is counted.

• The nature of the activities and the degree of autonomy in the role carry significant weight.
• The responsibilities assumed and the structure of the institution are also part of the analysis.

For this reason, a straightforward addition of the periods is not always accepted outright. It is worth reviewing the updated criteria on the official source (USCIS) and going over your academic history 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.