Is it easier if I already have an approved EB-2 I-140?

Not necessarily. Having an approved I-140 under EB-2 can be a positive factor, because it shows your professional background has already been evaluated favorably, but it does not make the EB-1 automatically easier or faster. Each category measures different things.

EB-2 typically relies on professional qualifications and, in many cases, on a job offer and labor certification. EB-1, on the other hand, requires demonstrating extraordinary abilities or outstanding achievements, a distinct evidentiary standard. For that reason, a prior approval does not replace the specific proof that EB-1 demands.

• An approved EB-2 I-140 helps with credibility, but does not guarantee EB-1 approval.
• The categories evaluate distinct criteria, each with its own evidence requirements.
• EB-1 requires proving achievements at the standard of its specific category.

The safest path is to build the EB-1 case on its own merits. It is worth evaluating your profile with an immigration professional and checking updated requirements at USCIS before filing.

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.