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Practice Areas · EB-1

EB-1Green Card for professionals of international standing

One of the most distinguished employment-based immigrant categories, reserved for individuals who have achieved meaningful recognition in their fields.

First preferenceExtraordinary abilityNo PERM required
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Overview

What the EB-1 is

The EB-1 recognizes professionals at the top of their careers. It comprises three tracks, EB-1A, EB-1B and EB-1C, each aimed at a specific profile of recognition and practice.

A first-preference immigrant category for individuals of international acclaim, outstanding researchers and professors, and multinational executives transferred within related companies.

Eligibility

Tracks and typical profiles

  • EB-1A, Extraordinary Ability: professionals recognized nationally or internationally through awards, publications, leadership and market standing.
  • EB-1B, Outstanding Professors and Researchers: academics and researchers with international recognition and a qualifying U.S. institutional appointment.
  • EB-1C, Multinational Executives: senior executives transferred within internationally related companies in strategic or managerial roles.
  • History of awards, publications and original contributions to the field.
  • Sustained recognition by peers, market and reference institutions.
Benefits

Key benefits

  • Green Card with priority in the U.S. visa bulletin.
  • Robust filing grounded in consolidated professional merit.
  • Spouse and unmarried children under 21 are included.
  • Direct path to permanent residence without PERM certification.
  • Professional freedom once residency is granted.

Talk to our team about EB-1.

Assess with our attorneys whether EB-1 is the most suitable strategy for your professional and family trajectory.

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Process

How we build an EB-1 case

  1. 01

    Selection of the appropriate track (EB-1A, EB-1B or EB-1C).

  2. 02

    Mapping of acclaim and peer recognition evidence.

  3. 03

    International expert letters and institutional dossier.

  4. 04

    Filing of the I-140 petition with USCIS.

  5. 05

    Adjustment of status (I-485) or consular processing through Green Card delivery.

Professional Profiles

Representative trajectories.

Researchers and Professors (EB-1B)

Academic trajectories consolidated at international level.

  • At least three years of teaching or research experience
  • International recognition for scientific contribution
  • Qualifying appointment with a U.S. institution

Multinational Executives (EB-1C)

Transfer of senior executives and managers within internationally related companies.

  • Executive activity abroad for at least one of the last three years
  • Qualifying relationship with a U.S. entity
  • Bona fide executive or managerial role

Extraordinary Professionals (EB-1A)

Sustained national or international recognition.

  • Practice at the top of the field
  • Meeting at least three of the ten regulatory criteria
  • Ongoing impact and originality

“Immigration is a strategic decision. Every trajectory requires an individualized analysis and a legal structure built around the client's objectives.”

André Linhares, Esq.Founding Attorney · Linhares Law
Frequently Asked Questions

Clarifications on EB-1.

The EB-1A requires proven national or international acclaim and offers priority in the visa bulletin. The EB-2 NIW requires professional merit and national interest, with more accessible criteria for a broader pool of professionals.

Not necessarily. The category evaluates a set of criteria, including publications, originality, market value, committee work, peer review and institutional visibility.

As a first-preference category, the EB-1 typically advances with priority on the visa bulletin, though timelines vary by USCIS and consulate.

Yes. The EB-1A is one of the few categories that allows self-petition, with no U.S. employer required.

Professors and researchers with international recognition and an offer of a tenured or tenure-track position, or comparable permanent role, at a qualifying U.S. institution.

Not necessarily. It requires a U.S. company related to the foreign company through qualifying ownership, with real operations and a qualifying executive or managerial role.

Yes, and it is a frequent path. Both categories share close criteria for extraordinary ability, enabling a planned transition.

Yes. Spouse and unmarried children under 21 receive permanent residence together with the principal applicant.

There are annual caps per category and per country of birth set by U.S. law. Strategic planning takes the current processing window into account.

Yes. As a rule, the petition phase allows the applicant to continue professional activity abroad until the appropriate transition point.
Related Areas

Other immigration strategies.

EB-2 NIW

Green Card through the National Interest Waiver

For highly qualified professionals whose work advances the interests of the United States. The EB-2 NIW allows the applicant to petition for a Green Card without an employer sponsor or a job offer, offering a strategic path for researchers, physicians, engineers, entrepreneurs, executives and other specialists with a distinguished record.

E-2

Investment and business operation in the United States

The E-2 visa is available to investors from treaty countries, allowing them to direct and develop a U.S. business through a substantial investment.

L-1

Corporate expansion into the United States

The L-1 facilitates the transfer of executives, managers and specialized-knowledge professionals to the U.S. operations of international companies.

Schedule a strategic consultation.

Start an institutional conversation with our attorneys and assess whether EB-1 is the right strategy for your objectives.

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