What is ‘original contributions of major significance’ vs ‘high salary’?

In the EB-1, ‘original contributions of major significance’ and ‘high salary’ are two different criteria that point to the same thing from distinct angles: the professional’s excellence. The first measures impact; the second, the market’s economic recognition.

‘Original contributions of major significance’ refer to innovations, discoveries, or solutions of yours that have meaningfully transformed or influenced your field. Doing good work is not enough: you must show that the contribution had broad reach, supported by evidence such as citations in reputable publications, adoption by other professionals, awards, or recognition from leading associations and societies.

‘High salary’, in turn, serves as an indicator that the market values you in a differentiated way. The idea is to demonstrate that your compensation is substantially higher than that of peers in comparable positions and sectors, backed by documentation such as contracts, pay stubs, and official statements, alongside comparisons with market benchmarks.

You do not need to satisfy both: each profile fits better along one path. Since the criteria are assessed on a case-by-case basis, it is worth checking the updated requirements at the official source and evaluating with a specialist which one best supports your EB-1 candidacy.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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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.