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US talent immigration
US EB-1A Extraordinary Ability
People with sustained national or international acclaim in their field can apply for a US green card — no employer or investment needed.
Reviewed by Oscar Yip · Updated October 2026
Programme overview
EB-1A is the “extraordinary ability” category within the first US employment-based preference. It is for people with sustained acclaim in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. Applicants file their own I-140 petition, with no US employer sponsorship, labour certification or investment, and can choose premium processing.
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InvestmentNo investment required
EmployerNot needed
ProcessingPremium processing available for I-140
FamilySpouse and unmarried children under 21
Summary
EB-1A requires applicants to show extraordinary ability in their field, usually by meeting at least three of the ten USCIS criteria or by having received a major internationally recognised award. No employer sponsorship or investment is needed: you file the I-140 yourself and your whole family receives green cards.
Key benefits of EB-1A
- No employer needed — file yourselfYou can file the I-140 yourself, with no US employer sponsor or job offer.
- Exempt from labour certification (PERM)No Department of Labor process — the PERM review step alone currently averages about 336 days.
- Not tied to one employerYou can be employed, self-employed or start a business, as long as you continue working in your field.
- No investment, no minimum degreeApproval is based on achievement and recognition; no investment or specific degree is required.
- I-140 premium processing: 15 business daysWith premium processing, USCIS must approve, deny or request evidence within 15 business days.
- No EB-1 queue for most applicants nowOctober 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-1 is current for 'All Chargeability' (including Hong Kong-born); mainland China- and India-born applicants still wait.
- File I-485 at the same time in the USIf you are in the US and a visa is available, file I-140 and I-485 together and apply for work and travel permits.
- Spouse and children get green cards tooYour spouse and unmarried children under 21 come with you as derivatives and become permanent residents.
- 10-year green card; citizenship after five yearsNo conditional stage; apply for citizenship after five years, and green-card-holding children under 18 living with you in the US become citizens automatically.
Why Global Immigrate for EB-1A
- families approved
- 28+
- approval rate
- 96%
- offering this programme since
- 2019
Evidence and argument strategy
A team that knows the assessment standards plans your evidence, recommendation letters and personal statement, addressing each criterion in turn.
Green card and citizenship planning
From the I-140 onwards we plan for the visa backlog, adjustment of status or consular processing, and the residence and citizenship rules after your green card.
Clear, transparent fees
All service fees and third-party costs are set out in writing before you sign — no hidden charges — and our refund terms are explained clearly.
Requirements
Applicants must show extraordinary ability in their field, usually by meeting at least three of these ten criteria (or by having received a major international award):
- Nationally or internationally recognised prizes or awards
- Membership of associations that require outstanding achievement
- Coverage of you and your work in professional or major media
- Judging the work of others in your field
- Original contributions of major significance to your field
- Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or major media
- Display of your work at exhibitions
- A leading or critical role for distinguished organisations
- A high salary compared with others in your field
- Commercial success in the performing arts
Our three guarantees
Full service-fee refund if refused
Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.
No extra charge for further documents or resubmission
If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.
Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing
Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.
Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.
Free EB-1A brochure
Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.
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If you can’t see it, please check your spam folder. A consultant may also contact you to answer any questions about the programme.
Application process
- Profile assessment and evidence plan1–2 monthsWe assess which criteria you meet and plan the additional evidence and recommendation letters needed.
- Prepare and file I-1402–4 monthsCompile the evidence, recommendation letters and petition, and file the I-140.
- I-140 decisionPremium processing about 15 working daysWith premium processing USCIS takes action within 15 working days (approval, denial or a request for evidence); standard processing takes several months.
- Green card stageDepends on visa backlogFile I-485 to adjust status, or attend a consular interview, when your priority date is current.
Pathway to PR and citizenship
- Green card (permanent residence)I-140 can be expedited (15 working days); green card usually about 1–2 years
You, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 receive ten-year green cards directly, with no conditional stage.
Keeping permanent statusThe US must be your permanent home; a trip of over 6 months may be questioned, and over 1 year is generally treated as abandoning the green card unless you hold a re-entry permit (up to 2 years)
- US citizenshipAfter 5 years as a green card holder
Apply to become a US citizen and get a US passport; you must pass the English and civics tests. The naturalisation oath includes renouncing allegiance to your former country; whether you keep your current nationality depends on that country’s own law (for example, the PRC does not recognise dual nationality).
Residence for citizenshipAt least 30 months physically in the US within the 5 years, with continuous residence; a single trip of over 6 months can break continuity, and you must live in your state for 3 months before applying
General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.
EB-1A client stories
Client storyAn award-winning designer gains a green card under EB-1A
Mr Cheng’s EB-1A experience. His work had won several international design awards and been exhibited.
Read the full storyClient storyA doctor’s citations, judging and media coverage win an EB-1A green cardDr Wong’s EB-1A experience. He wanted US green cards for the whole family.
Read the full storyClient storyOverseas recommendation letters, each on a different criterion, and EB-1A approved first timeMs Chou’s EB-1A experience. She wanted a US green card based on her own achievements.
Read the full storyCompared with other options: United States
See the United States overview| Programme | Investment | Status | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US EB-5 Investor Immigration | USD 800,000 (TEA) / USD 1,050,000 | Green card | I-526E: rural projects prioritised by law, timing depends on USCIS; others about 24–36 months | Families with funds who want to immigrate without education or employment requirements |
| US EB-1A Extraordinary AbilityThis programme | No investment; no employer needed | Green card | I-140 premium processing (15 working days); green card depends on backlog | People with international or national acclaim in their field |
| US EB-2 NIW National Interest Waiver | No investment; no employer needed | Green card | I-140 premium processing (45 working days); green card depends on backlog | Researchers, doctors and professionals with a master’s degree |
| US EB-2 Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability | No investment; US employer sponsorship | Green card | Labour certification, then the visa backlog | Highly qualified people already hired by a US employer |
| US EB-3 Skilled Worker | No investment; US employer sponsorship | Green card | Labour certification, then the visa backlog | Professionals with a bachelor’s degree or two years’ relevant experience |
| US EB-3 Unskilled Worker | No investment; US employer sponsorship | Green card | Labour certification; backlog generally longer | People without formal qualifications willing to take a specified job |
EB-1A FAQ
How many criteria do I need to meet?
You generally need evidence for at least three of the ten criteria; USCIS then decides overall whether you are among the top of your field.
Do I need a US employer?
No. EB-1A needs no employer, but you must show you will continue working in your field in the US.
Is premium processing available?
Yes. For a fee, USCIS takes action on the EB-1A I-140 within 15 working days (approval, denial or a request for evidence). The green card stage still follows the visa backlog.
Can my children receive green cards too?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can receive green cards as derivative applicants. In some cases the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) protects children who are close to 21.
Can I reapply if I am refused?
Yes. You can refile with additional evidence, or consider other routes such as EB-2 NIW.
Sources
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