Very high consulting fees. Does that count as ‘high salary’?

It may contribute, but context matters. In the EB-1, the high salary criterion refers to compensation that is significantly above the average of comparable professionals in your field, not just any large amount in isolation. What counts is how your earnings compare to your peers.

High consulting fees can support this argument when they reflect your professional activity and clearly exceed the industry standard. The key is demonstrating that contrast with evidence, not simply asserting that the amounts are high.

• Documentation of income received from your professional work.
• Market references showing compensation benchmarks in your field.
• Context explaining why your earnings stand out among your peers.

One important distinction: do not confuse fees you pay to an immigration or consulting firm with your own compensation; they are separate things, and only the latter is relevant to the high salary criterion. Since each case is evaluated individually by the competent authority, it is worth verifying the current requirements at the official source (USCIS) and organizing your evidence with a specialist.

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.