What are the 10 criteria for the EB-1A?

The EB-1A is the green card path for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. To demonstrate that level of achievement, the USCIS recognizes a set of evidence types: those who have not received a single major internationally recognized award must document several of these indicators.

The recognized types of evidence revolve around the following points:

• National or international prizes or awards for excellence in the field.
• Membership in associations that require outstanding achievements from their members.
• Published material about you and your work in relevant media outlets.
• Service as a judge or reviewer of others’ work in the field.
• Original contributions of recognized impact in your area.
• Authorship of articles in specialized or widely circulated publications.
• Display of your work at exhibitions, showcases, or events of significance.
• A leading or critical role in prestigious organizations.
• Remuneration significantly higher than the average in your field.
• Commercial success in the performing arts.

What matters is not simply checking items off a list, but the overall strength of the evidence presented, evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Since the number of criteria you need to meet and how they are assessed may change, it is worth confirming the current requirements on the USCIS website and reviewing your profile with a specialist 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.