EB-1A green card in the USA — Extraordinary abilities
EB-1A green card for individuals with extraordinary ability — without an employer or a labour certification. For academics, entrepreneurs and professionals with international recognition.
- A self-petition on Form I-140, with no employer and no job offer
Who it suits
- A self-petition on Form I-140, with no employer and no job offer
- Academics, entrepreneurs and professionals with international recognition
- Those who can evidence extraordinary achievements without a sponsoring employer
The terms the expert works on
Prepares the documents and evidence file personally
Assembles and formats the whole package — from forms to achievement evidence for the petition — so it does not come back for rework.
Checks the case against USCIS requirements
Matches the documents to the specific visa category's criteria before filing, not after a denial.
Handles a Request for Evidence at no extra charge
If USCIS sends an RFE on the petition, prepares the response without an additional fee for the case itself.
A US immigration attorney runs the case
The petition is prepared and filed by a lawyer practising US immigration law, not an unlicensed consultant.
Names the price at the consultation, before work starts
The cost is quoted right after the case review — before the petition is drafted — and is not revised upward later, whatever happens along the way.
Matches the category to your profile
If the facts do not support one visa category, proposes the one the case actually fits, rather than forcing the filing into the category you asked for.
Deals with USCIS and the consulate directly
Responds to the agency's requests and prepares you for the interview personally, with no chain of intermediaries.
Residence permit in the US: comparing the options
The difference is not the price — it is who each option suits. The “Best for” column is the business profile the option is built around.
| Option | Best for | Timeline | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-1 student visa in the USA — School selection + I-20 + preparation | Applicants and students enrolling on a full-time programme in the USA, those who need help choosing an accredited school and arranging the I-20 | 1–4 months | from $1,190 |
| E-2 visa in the USA — Investor visa | Entrepreneurs who are citizens of countries with a treaty with the USA and are ready to run the business themselves, investors who have already invested, or are ready to invest, capital in an operating enterprise in the USA | 1–4 months | from $8,000 |
| L-1 visa in the USA — Manager transfer | Managers and key employees of companies opening an office or a branch in the USA, businesses with an existing related structure abroad and in the USA | 1–4 months | from $12,000 |
| EB-1A green card in the USA — Extraordinary abilitiesyou are here | Academics, entrepreneurs and professionals with international recognition, those who can evidence extraordinary achievements without a sponsoring employer | 4–6 months | from $12,500 |
| O-1 talent visa in the USA | Academics, artists, athletes and entrepreneurs recognised in their field, those who already have a US employer or agent ready to file the petition | 1–4 months | from $12,500 |
What the service includes
| Assessment against the EB-1A criteria | |
| Preparing the evidence and the I-140 petition | |
| Running the case through to the USCIS decision | |
| The USCIS filing fee for Form I-140 and the Asylum Program Fee— billed separately | |
| Premium processing on Form I-907 (optional, for a separate fee) |
Official terms
Financial requirement
- No Department of Labor labour certification is required — there are no PERM costs
- The applicant pays the I-140 fee themselves
Timelines and rights
Review time
The I-140 petition is filed with USCIS in the ordinary way, with no tie to the employer's location. Expedited review is bought separately on Form I-907: under the current USCIS schedule for the extraordinary ability category (classification E11), USCIS undertakes to give a substantive answer within 15 business days of receiving Form I-907.
Right to work
Once the green card is granted, a permanent resident works for any employer or for themselves, with no tie to the particular position named in the petition. While the status application (I-485) is pending, the right to work legally in the USA comes from a separately filed Form I-765.
Residence conditions
To apply for citizenship you must have lived continuously as a permanent resident for at least 5 years before the date Form N-400 is filed, and have been physically present in the USA for at least 30 months of those five years.
Documents and programme requirements
- 1International passport
- 2Evidence of extraordinary achievement — at least 3 of the 10 USCIS criteria (awards, publications, membership of associations, original contribution and others) or a single one-off achievement of international standing
- 3A CV and a portfolio of professional accomplishments
What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship
Route to permanent residence
Yes, a first preference immigrant category. An approved I-140 petition, together with a successful I-485 (or consular processing), leads directly to permanent residence.
Route to citizenship
After 5 years of continuous residence with a green card, an EB-1A holder files Form N-400 for naturalisation. For spouses of US citizens who hold a green card that term drops to 3 years.
Frequently asked questions
How does the EB-1A differ from the O-1 visa?
How many USCIS criteria have to be met for the EB-1A?
Is an employer needed to file the EB-1A?
How long does the petition take to be considered?
What happens if fewer than three criteria are met?
Related breakdowns
EB-1A or O-1: which US talent visa to choose
The O-1 is a work visa for up to 3 years through an employer or agent; the EB-1A is a green card with no employer. Criteria, 2026 fees and how to combine them.
US degree evaluation: how work experience counts
What a credential evaluation is, which US visas need it and how 3 years' experience replace 1 year of study. When a bachelor's plus 5 years equals a master's.
K-1 fiancé visa or marrying abroad: which to choose
K-1 fiancé visa or CR-1/IR-1 marriage green card: who files, what it costs, where the wedding happens and what if you don't marry within 90 days.
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