EB-1A Petition for Extraordinary Ability
EB-1A Criteria
In order to demonstrate you have sustained national or international acclaim and that your achievements have been recognized in your field of expertise, you must either include evidence of a one-time achievement (major internationally-recognized award) or 3 of the 10 listed criteria below (or comparable evidence if any of the criteria do not readily apply):
- Evidence of receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence
- Evidence of your membership in associations in the field which demand outstanding achievement of their members
- Evidence of 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
O-1 Visa for Extraordinary Ability
CRITERIA FOR O-1A “EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY”
Extraordinary ability for O-1A purposes (sciences, athletics, business) is determined in the same manner as it is for EB-1A purposes, signifying a level of expertise indicating that an individual is one of the small percentage who have risen to the very top of their field. As such, the individual must either demonstrate a one-time achievement at the caliber of an Olympic Medal or Nobel prize, or satisfy at least three of the following criteria:
- Receipt of lesser nationally and internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor;
- Membership in associations in the field which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by experts in the field;
- Published materials about the individual in professional or major trade publications, or appearance/published materials about the individual in other major media;
- Participation, either individually or as part of a panel, as a judge of the work of others in the field (including having served as a reviewer/referee for articles to be published, on discussion and advisory panels, etc.);
- Original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic or business-related contributions of major significance in the field;
- Authorship of scholarly articles in the field, as published in professional or major trade publications or in other major media;
- Serving in a critical or essential capacity for organizations or establishments that have a distinguished reputation; and/or
- Commanding a high salary or other significantly high remuneration for services, as compared to others in the field; and/or
- Comparable evidence where the listed criteria are not readily applicable to the beneficiary’s occupation.We can help you obtain work visas and permanent residency for your employees and make sure your business stays in compliance with immigration laws.
CRITERIA FOR O-1B “EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY”
For O-1B purposes, extraordinary ability is defined as “distinction” in the arts. As with O-1A, distinction can be shown through a one-time major achievement such as an Academy Award, Emmy, Director’s Guild Award, or evidence of at least three of the following:
- Performed and will perform services as a lead or starring participant in productions or events which have a distinguished reputation as evidenced by reviews, advertisements, publicity releases, publications, contracts, or endorsements;
- Performed and will perform in a lead, starring, or critical role for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation evidenced by articles in newspapers, trade journals, publications, or testimonials;
- Achieved national or international recognition for achievements, as shown by critical reviews or other published materials by or about you in major newspapers, trade journals, magazines, or other publications;
- A record of major commercial or critically acclaimed successes, as shown by such indicators of title, rating, or standing in the field, box office receipts, motion picture or television ratings and other occupational achievements reported in trade journals, major newspapers, or other publications;
- Received significant recognition for achievements from organizations, critics, government agencies or other recognized experts in the field in which you are engaged, with the testimonials clearly indicating the author’s authority, expertise, and knowledge of the alien’s achievements;
- A high salary or other substantial remuneration for services in relation to others in the field, as shown by contracts or other reliable evidence.
- Comparable evidence where the listed criteria are not readily applicable to the beneficiary’s occupation (this does not apply to the motion picture or television industry).