Visa types / EB-1A
Extraordinary isn't temporary.
Make it permanent.
The extraordinary-ability green card: permanent residence on the strength of your own record, with no employer, no job offer, and no labor certification.
Attorney-reviewed, every case. A Thrive attorney reads your submission and gives you a straight answer — no coordinators, no portals.
Handled by specialists. Your petition is prepared by immigration attorneys with deep EB-1A experience — immigration law, day in and day out.
Fast and async-first. Replies within one business day, in plain English — you keep building while the case comes together.
- What it is
- Immigrant petition (green card)
- Sponsorship
- Self-petition allowed
- The bar
- 3 of 10 criteria, or one major award
- Premium processing
- 15 business days (I-140)
Step 1 of 5
The green card for people who already have the record. No employer, no labor certification — your work is the petition.
Who it's for
The EB-1A is a fit if…
You'd clear the O-1A bar with room to spare — the EB-1A standard is higher, but built from similar evidence.
You want permanence: no renewals, no status tied to one employer.
You're already on an O-1 and building toward the natural next step.
Not sure this is your category? That's normal — the right answer is often a sequence, not a single visa. Email us and a Thrive attorney will map your options.
How it actually works
The mechanics that matter
01
The ten criteria
Awards, memberships, press, judging, original contributions, scholarly articles, critical roles, high compensation, exhibitions, and commercial success — a petition needs at least three, or a one-time major international award.
02
The two-step review
USCIS first counts qualifying criteria, then weighs the record as a whole in a final-merits determination. Meeting three criteria on paper isn't the finish line — the totality has to read "top of the field."
03
Priority dates
EB-1 is the first employment-based preference. Availability is often current for most countries of birth, but it retrogresses at times — country of birth, not citizenship, controls.
04
Premium processing
The I-140 petition can be premium processed for a decision within 15 business days. The green card itself then follows via adjustment of status or consular processing.
The process
From "does this fit?" to filed
- 1
Honest assessment
A Thrive attorney reviews your situation against this category — and the neighbors you might not have considered — and gives you a straight read.
- 2
Meet your legal team
Your case is staffed with an immigration attorney with deep experience in this category, working with Thrive. You'll know exactly who before you engage.
- 3
Evidence & filing
Your attorney assembles the record and files with USCIS or the consulate — async updates in plain English while you keep working.
- 4
Decision & next steps
When the decision lands we map what's next: extensions, family, travel, and the road to permanence where one exists.
FAQ
EB-1A questions
How does EB-1A relate to the O-1A?
They use similar evidence categories, but EB-1A is an immigrant petition with a higher bar and a final-merits review. A strong O-1 record is a head start, not a guarantee — we assess the gap honestly before filing.
Can I file while working on an O-1 or H-1B?
Yes. Many people pursue EB-1A while maintaining nonimmigrant status, then adjust status when a visa number is available.
Does my family get green cards too?
Yes — your spouse and unmarried children under 21 receive permanent residence as derivatives on your petition.
How long does the whole EB-1A process take?
The I-140 can be decided in 15 business days with premium processing. The total timeline to a green card depends on visa-number availability for your country of birth and whether you adjust status in the U.S. or process at a consulate — anywhere from several months to significantly longer.
Can I keep working while it's pending?
Yes — EB-1A doesn't disturb your current status. Most applicants keep working on O-1, H-1B, or other status throughout, and file adjustment of status when a visa number is available.
What if my EB-1A is denied?
A denial doesn't affect your existing status, and the record often supports a strong EB-2 NIW filing instead. Sequencing both categories is a common strategy from the start.
Do I need a U.S. employer at any point?
No. EB-1A is fully self-petitionable — you can file, and later adjust status, based on your own continuing work in your area of extraordinary ability.
How is this different from a Nobel-style award case?
A one-time major international achievement can satisfy the standard by itself, but nearly all successful petitions are built the other way: three or more criteria, documented deeply, plus a persuasive final-merits story.
Start now
Get a straight answer on the EB-1A.
Tell us about your situation and a Thrive attorney will reply within one business day — free, with no obligation.