The EB-1A visa is an immigrant visa for people with extraordinary abilities in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. Extraordinary ability usually means that you are one of the few people in the top 10% in your field. Receiving major awards or a higher salary than others in your field are a few examples of being on top. 

This visa grants a green card or permanent resident card without a job offer from a US employer. An applicant’s spouse and children under the age of 21 also get permanent resident status in the United States. 

How do you prove achievements? 

The first evidence can be a one-time internationally recognized achievement such as Oscar, Grammy, Nobel prize, Olympic medal, etcetera. 

If you do not have a one-time major achievement then you must meet at least 3 out of these 10 criteria 

• Receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards in your field

• Membership in associations in your field that demand outstanding achievement of their members

• Published material about you in professional or major trade publications or other major media

• Evidence that you have been asked to judge the work of others, either individually or on a panel

• Evidence of your original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field

• Evidence of your authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media

• Evidence that your work has been displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases

• Evidence of your performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations

• Evidence that you command a high salary or other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field

• Evidence of your commercial successes in the performing arts