I’m a researcher with 2 years of experience and 4 publications. Is it too early for EB-1B?

There is no fixed number of years of experience or publications that guarantees eligibility for EB-1B. This category is designed for outstanding researchers and professors who are internationally recognized as leading experts in their field, and the assessment looks at the strength and impact of your overall track record, not just counts.

With a career still taking shape, it is natural that your portfolio is still being built. That does not diminish the value of your work. It simply suggests that it may be strategic to strengthen the evidence of recognition before filing, in order to present a stronger case.

Among the elements that commonly reinforce a researcher’s profile are:

• High-impact publications in prestigious journals and meaningful citations.
• Invitations to peer-review the work of other researchers.
• Awards, speaking engagements, and other forms of recognition by peers.

Since each case is evaluated individually and the criteria vary by field, it is worth checking the updated requirements on the USCIS website and reviewing your profile with a specialist to determine the best time to file.

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.