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EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Visa Eligibility
Check Your Visa Eligibility Score in 60 Seconds
Free • USA
1. How many of the 10 regulatory criteria can you document with primary evidence?
2. Do you have a major one-time achievement (Nobel, Oscar, Olympic medal, Pulitzer)?
3. Independent expert recommendation letters from 5+ field leaders?
4. Citation count / h-index (STEM) or revenue/audience metrics (arts/business)?
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Visa Overview
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Visa is one of the most searched immigration pathways for people moving to USA
This page gives you a fast, no-signup way to check where you stand before you spend money on application fees or agents. Our calculator mirrors the official rule set and then translates the answers into a clear, percentage-based eligibility score. You will see exactly which requirements you already meet, which ones need work, and what the realistic next step looks like.
If you want a deeper, AI-personalised plan covering documents, timeline, costs and alternative pathways, run the full assessment — it compares your profile against every visa we track for your destination and ranks the routes most likely to succeed for someone with your background.
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Visa Requirements
Sustained National/International Acclaim
Top of field with extensive documentation — sciences, arts, education, business, athletics.
Meet 3 of 10 Regulatory Criteria
Awards, memberships, published material about you, judging others, original contributions, scholarly articles, exhibitions, leading/critical role, high salary, commercial success.
Final Merits Determination
Kazarian 2-step: (1) count criteria, (2) totality of evidence shows you are in the small percentage at top.
Continue Work in Field
Plan to continue same area of extraordinary ability in the US (letters from employers/clients/conferences).
Self-Petition
No employer or labor certification required — applicant files I-140 directly.
Official USCIS EB-1A Visa Information
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Visa FAQs
Common mistakes to avoid
Citing co-authored papers without showing personal contribution.
Recommendation letters all from collaborators/co-workers (not independent).
Listing memberships in associations open to anyone (must require outstanding achievement).
Claiming "judging" via grant peer-review without invitation evidence.
Improve your chances
- 1
Secure 6+ letters: 3 independent + 3 from collaborators showing impact.
- 2
Quantify citations vs field median (use Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science).
- 3
Build press coverage in major outlets (Forbes, TechCrunch, BBC, field-specific media).
- 4
Document patents granted (not just filed) and licensing revenue.
EB-1A fees & key facts (2026)
| Item | Cost / Detail |
|---|---|
| I-140 filing fee | USD 715 |
| Asylum program fee | USD 600 (USD 300 small employers / waived self-petitioners not exempt) |
| Premium processing | USD 2,805 — 15 business days |
| I-485 adjustment of status | USD 1,440 (adult) |
| Priority date | Current for most countries (China/India have backlogs) |
| Self-petition | Yes — no employer needed |
Step-by-step application process
- Self-assess eligibility. Use this calculator and review the official EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Visa Eligibility criteria before paying any fees. Confirm you meet every hard gate (age, language, health, character, qualifying offer or investment) — failing one gate cannot be offset by scoring well elsewhere.
- Gather and translate documents. Collect passport, civil documents, qualifications, language test, police clearances from every country lived in 12+ months since age 17, and proof of funds. Obtain certified translations and apostilles/attestations where the destination authority requires them.
- Submit the formal application. Lodge online through the official government portal listed on this page. Pay the correct government fee, complete biometrics at the designated centre, and upload supporting evidence in the exact format the authority specifies.
- Respond to requests for evidence. Caseworkers commonly request additional payslips, employer letters, or medicals. Respond inside the deadline given — most refusals come from missed deadlines, not weak profiles.
- Travel and activate status. On approval, collect your visa vignette or eVisa, enter the country before it expires, register your address where required, and collect any biometric residence permit/card. Keep digital and paper copies of every document.
Sources & references
Every figure on this page is sourced from official government or regulator publications. Cross-check before applying — rules change.
This calculator is editorial guidance, not legal advice. Immigration thresholds, points, salary floors and occupation lists change frequently — always verify your route against the official government source linked on this page before applying. For complex cases, consult a licensed immigration adviser regulated in the destination country.
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