As a general rule, yes. Under the EB-1B category for outstanding professors and researchers, the required period of experience in teaching or research does not have to have been completed at a single institution. What the evaluation focuses on is the career trajectory, which may have spanned more than one employer.
There is a minimum qualifying experience period required by the rules, but the exact value should be verified at the official source, as it may change over time. The practical point is that combining stints at different institutions is acceptable, as long as each period is well documented and demonstrates continuity.
For that combined experience to hold up, gather clear evidence for each position, for example:
- Letters from each institution describing your roles and responsibilities.
- Documentation of the periods during which you worked at each place.
- Publications, projects, awards, and the impact of your work.
The USCIS evaluates the quality, relevance, and continuity of the experience, not just the total time accumulated. For that reason, it is worth verifying the current minimum period at the official source and organizing your documentation with a specialist before filing.
Learn more about EB-1
- Category
- EB-1 Green Card (1st priority)
- Requirement
- Extraordinary ability
- Self-petition
- Allowed (no sponsor needed)
- Processing
- 6-18 months
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About the author
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
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.