Employment-Based Visas

The EB-1 preference class includes individuals of “sustained national or international acclaim” with “extraordinary ability” in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; “outstanding professors and researchers” recognized internationally in a specific academic area; and “certain multinational executives and managers.”  Foreign nationals holding O-1 or L-1 nonimmigrant visa status often qualify for immigrant status under this category.

• The EB-1(a), or extraordinary ability category, makes a visa available to individuals who are at the top of their profession or field of endeavor, have achieved national or international acclaim, and can meet specific criteria demonstrating their extraordinary ability.
• EB-1(b) category requires that the foreign national be recognized internationally as outstanding in his/her field of specialization, has at least 3 years of experience in teaching or research in the field, and has an offer of a tenured or tenure-track teaching position, or a permanent research position with a university or institution of higher education.
• Employers may sponsor employees to fill managerial or executive positions in the U.S. if in the three years preceding the filing of the petition, the foreign national has been employed outside of the U.S. for at least one year by an affiliate company in a managerial or executive position.