EB-1 Visa USA · Employment-Based First Preference

EB-1 Visa USA for Extraordinary Ability, Researchers & Global Leaders

For founders, senior professionals, researchers, professors, executives and multinational leaders pursuing a U.S. Green Card through an evidence-led EB-1 petition.
Direct Green Card pathway
EB-1A self-petition
No labor certification
30-minute call with a Global Mobility Expert. Commercial consultation only — the U.S. petition is filed by an engaged U.S. immigration attorney.
UK Global Talent Visa IT Dashboard
The Route

What is the EB-1 visa?

The EB-1 is a U.S. employment-based first-preference immigrant visa for priority workers — people with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and certain multinational executives or managers. Unlike temporary nonimmigrant routes, EB-1 can lead directly to U.S. permanent residency: if the petition and Green Card application are approved, the applicant and eligible family members may become Green Card holders.

Direct Green Card

An immigrant visa — leads to permanent residency, not temporary status.

No labor certification

EB-1 does not require the PERM labor certification process.

EB-1A self-petition

For extraordinary ability candidates, no U.S. employer is required.
Official source
USCIS
EB-1 visa category
Who Decides

Who decides on your EB-1 case

EB-1 is an immigrant visa route, so the process involves multiple U.S. authorities at different stages. Understanding who decides what — and where to verify each step — helps you navigate the route with realistic expectations.

USCIS

Petition & adjustment

Adjudicates the Form I-140 immigrant petition and Form I-485 Adjustment of Status (if filed inside the U.S.). Decides whether you have demonstrated EB-1A, EB-1B or EB-1C eligibility.

uscis.gov

U.S. Department of State

Consular processing

Handles consular processing if you are outside the U.S. The National Visa Center processes the case after I-140 approval; embassies conduct the immigrant visa interview.

travel.state.gov

AAO

Appeals

The Administrative Appeals Office reviews appeals if USCIS denies a petition. AAO precedent decisions guide future EB-1 adjudications.

Engaged U.S. attorney

Regulated filing

Provides regulated U.S. immigration advice and files the petition with USCIS. Tech Nomads is not a U.S. law firm — the engaged attorney handles the regulated work.

Visa availability — the Visa Bulletin

EB-1 immigrant visa availability is controlled by the Department of State Visa Bulletin, published monthly. Even after I-140 approval, the Green Card stage may wait until your priority date is current — particularly relevant for applicants from India and China.
Legal framework: INA §203(b)(1), regulations at 8 CFR 204.5(h),(i),(j); USCIS guidance in the Policy Manual, Volume 6, Part F. Tech Nomads is not affiliated with USCIS or the Department of State — we prepare and coordinate materials; the attorney files; USCIS independently adjudicates.
Who Decides

Who decides on your EB-1 case

EB-1 is an immigrant visa route, so the process involves multiple U.S. authorities at different stages. Understanding who decides what — and where to verify each step — helps you navigate the route with realistic expectations.

EB-1A

Extraordinary Ability

For individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics — founders, senior tech, researchers, scientists, executives.

Self-petition — no employer required

EB-1B

Outstanding Professors & Researchers

For academics, scientists and researchers with international recognition in a specific academic field.

Requires qualifying U.S. job offer

EB-1C

Multinational Executives & Managers

For executives or managers transferring to the U.S. through a qualifying multinational company structure.

Requires qualifying corporate relationship
CATEGORY
BEST FOR
EPLOYER
EVIDENCE FOCUS

EB-1A

Extraordinary ability professionals
No
Awards, media, judging, original contributions, authorship, critical roles, high remuneration.

EB-1B

Outstanding professors & researchers
Yes
International recognition, research impact, publications, judging, academic expertise.

EB-1C

Multinational executives & managers
Yes
Executive/managerial role, qualifying company relationship, business operations.
Primary conversion

Start with a 30-minute EB-1 assessment

A Global Mobility Expert reviews your background, achievements, evidence and U.S. plans to understand whether EB-1 is the right route — and which subcategory gives you the strongest path. The petition itself is filed by an engaged U.S. immigration attorney.

What we review

Professional background
Achievements / leadership record
EB-1A / EB-1B / EB-1C route
Current evidence
Evidence gaps & risks
Employer / company structure
Green Card pathway

Possible outcomes

ACCEPT

Ready to prepare

Profile appears ready for EB-1 case preparation.
CONDITIONAL

Strengthen first

Viable, but evidence gaps need addressing first.
Build & re-assess

Not yet strong enough

Profile does not currently appear strong enough.
These are Tech Nomads' internal commercial decisions — not USCIS eligibility rulings or U.S. legal advice.

Tech Nation Scorecard

74 Match

Strong EB-1A extraordinary ability profile

Sustained acclaim is well documented across several criteria. Remuneration and judging evidence are the priority gaps to close.
Strong Evidence
Needs More Documentation
Risk Area
Nationally/int’l recognised awards
Strong Evidence
Memberships (outstanding achievement)
Needs More Documentation
Published material about you
Strong Evidence
Judging the work of others
Needs More Documentation
Original contributions of major significance
Strong Evidence
Scholarly / professional authorship
Strong Evidence
Critical role, distinguished orgs
Strong Evidence
High salary / remuneration
Risk Area
70 Match

Outstanding professor & researcher profile

International recognition and research impact are strong. A qualifying U.S. employer offer anchors the petition.
Strong Evidence
Needs More Documentation
Risk Area
International recognition
Strong Evidence
Major prizes / awards
Needs More Documentation
Published material by others
Strong Evidence
Judging academic / research work
Needs More Documentation
Original research contributions
Strong Evidence
Scholarly authorship
Strong Evidence
Qualifying U.S. job offer
Strong Evidence
66 Match

Multinational executive / manager profile

Executive role and company relationship are evidenced. Operational and ownership documentation needs strengthening.
Strong Evidence
Needs More Documentation
Risk Area
Qualifying company relationship
Strong Evidence
Executive / managerial role
Strong Evidence
Organisational charts
Needs More Documentation
Foreign & U.S. operations proof
Needs More Documentation
Employment history & role docs
Strong Evidence
Financial / operational records
Risk Area
Illustrative model — your real assessment is run by a Global Mobility Expert.
Book a Call
EB-1A Criteria

EB-1A requirements for extraordinary ability

For EB-1A, your petition usually needs to show sustained national or international acclaim — through a one-time major internationally recognised award (Nobel, Pulitzer, Olympic medal) or evidence across multiple USCIS criteria.
Nationally or internationally recognised awards
Memberships requiring outstanding achievement
Published material about you or your work
Judging the work of others
Original contributions of major significance
Authorship of scholarly or professional articles
Display of work, where relevant
Leading or critical role for distinguished organisations
High salary or remuneration vs others in the field
Commercial success, where relevant
USCIS typically expects evidence across at least 3 criteria. Your attorney advises which combinations are strongest for your field.

EB-1B — Professors & Researchers

International recognition as outstanding in a specific academic field, with qualifying teaching or research experience. Usually filed by the U.S. employer.

Major prizes or awards
Memberships requiring outstanding achievement
Published material by others about your work
Judging academic / research work
Original research contributions & scholarly authorship

EB-1C — Multinational Execs

Executive or managerial role for a qualifying foreign employer, transferring to a related U.S. company in an executive or managerial role.

Corporate ownership & relationship documents
Organisational charts
Proof of foreign & U.S. business operations
Evidence of executive / managerial responsibilities
Employment history & role descriptions
The Handover

What happens after your EB-1 assessment call

After the call, your profile is reviewed internally by the Processing Team — evidence summary, recommended category and risk areas. If we proceed, an experienced U.S. immigration attorney is engaged to handle the regulated petition work.
1
Assessment Call
30-minute call with a Global Mobility Expert.
2
Processing Team Review
Internal commercial review.
3
Decision
Shared within 1 working day.
4
Attorney engaged
Attorney engaged here
Deliverables

What Tech Nomads prepares

Tech Nomads provides full case preparation — from eligibility assessment and evidence strategy to petition document preparation and Green Card application coordination.
Strategy & category selection
EB-1A / EB-1B / EB-1C route recommendation
Eligibility criteria mapping
Evidence gap analysis
Risk areas and priority actions
Initial petition roadmap
Evidence & petition document preparation
Professional profile & career narrative
Evidence documents mapped to criteria
Recommendation letters drafted & structured
Referee briefing support
Awards, media, publication & membership evidence
Academic / research evidence, where relevant
Corporate & executive proof pack, where relevant
Complete petition pack for attorney review
Personal Profile Boost Plan
If your profile needs strengthening before filing, we prepare a prioritised action plan — depending on category, this may include publications, media visibility, judging opportunities, memberships, speaking, research positioning or stronger documentation of leadership impact.
Regulated Work

U.S. attorney filing coordination regulated

Tech Nomads is not a U.S. law firm

The Form I-140 EB-1 petition is filed by an experienced U.S. immigration attorney engaged for your case. Tech Nomads prepares and coordinates the materials. U.S. immigration advice and the filing itself are regulated services provided by the attorney.
For each EB-1 case, an experienced U.S. immigration attorney is engaged to:
Review the petition pack prepared by Tech Nomads
Provide regulated U.S. immigration advice on case strategy
Confirm category selection (EB-1A / EB-1B / EB-1C)
Prepare and file Form I-140 with USCIS
Respond to any Request for Evidence (RFE)
Coordinate the Green Card stage (I-485 or consular)
Important

Form I-140 approval vs Green Card approval

An approved Form I-140 means USCIS has approved the immigrant petition — it does not always mean the Green Card has been issued. The Green Card stage is separate and may involve adjustment of status inside the U.S. or consular processing outside the U.S.

Adjustment of Status

Inside the U.S.

If you are already in the U.S. on a valid status (e.g. O-1, H-1B), you may be eligible to file Form I-485 to adjust to permanent resident status without leaving the country.

Consular Processing

Outside the U.S.

If you are outside the U.S., the process continues through the U.S. National Visa Center and a consular interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

The right path depends on your location, immigration status, priority date, visa availability and attorney guidance. EB-1 strategy should cover both the petition stage and the Green Card pathway from the start.
Tech Nomads fees

Choose the level of support you need

Each package below sets out exactly what Tech Nomads does. Attorney fees are charged by the engaged U.S. immigration attorney and are separate from Tech Nomads service fees.
Pro — Petition Preparation
Pricing shared on your assessment call
Category selection & evidence strategy
Complete petition document pack
Recommendation letters drafted
Evidence organised & mapped to criteria
Attorney filing coordination to I-140 decision
Attorney fees billed separately.
Discuss My Case
Elite — Petition + Green Card
Pricing shared on your assessment call
Everything in Pro, plus:
Full Green Card application coordination
I-485 adjustment or consular processing
Document coordination
Interview preparation
Recommended for the full petition-to-Green-Card pathway.
Discuss My Case
Family add-on
Pricing shared on your assessment call
Derivative applicant document support
Spouse / child under 21
Government fees paid separately.
Add to My Case
Final scope is confirmed after assessment and depends on category, evidence strength, employer structure (EB-1B/C) and family members. USCIS and attorney fees are separate.
Official Costs

USCIS & consular fees

These fees are paid directly to USCIS. They are not Tech Nomads or attorney service fees and should always be verified before filing.
FEE
AMOUNT
NOTES

Form I-140 (immigrant petition)

$715
Per applicant — paid to USCIS

Premium processing (optional)

$2,805
EB-1A/B/C: 15 business day decision

Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)

$1,440
Inside U.S.; per applicant, includes biometrics

DS-260 visa processing fee

$325
Outside U.S.; per applicant (NVC)

USCIS Immigrant Fee

$235
Per applicant; after consular approval

Typical EB-1 path inside U.S.

$2,155
I-140 ($715) + I-485 ($1,440), no premium
Fees verified at the time of writing — USCIS fees change. Always check uscis.gov before filing.
The Process

EB-1 process: from assessment to Green Card

Premium processing is available for EB-1A/B/C I-140 petitions (15 business day USCIS decision). Green Card stage timing depends on priority date and visa availability.
01
Step 1

Profile assessment & category selection

We confirm whether EB-1A, EB-1B or EB-1C gives the strongest path.
02
Step 2

Evidence roadmap

We map evidence against the criteria and identify what to build.
03
Step 3

Petition pack

Career narrative, recommendation letters and evidence pack prepared.
04
Step 4

Attorney review & I-140 filing

The engaged attorney reviews, advises and files Form I-140.
05
Step 5

USCIS decision & Green Card stage

After approval: adjustment of status or consular processing, then Green Card issued.

Direct Green Card

Permanent residency for eligible applicants and family members.

No labor certification

EB-1 does not require the PERM labor certification process.

EB-1A self-petition

For extraordinary ability candidates, no U.S. employer is required.

Family included

Spouse and unmarried children under 21 may be included as derivatives.

Strong path for leaders

Direct route for recognised professionals, founders, researchers and executives.

Future citizenship

Pathway to U.S. citizenship later if naturalisation requirements are met.

EB-1 vs EB-2 NIW: which route is better?

Both are employment-based Green Card routes for different profiles. EB-1 is usually stronger for extraordinary ability, outstanding academic recognition or multinational executive leadership. EB-2 NIW may be more realistic when work has substantial merit and national importance but EB-1 evidence isn't yet strong enough. There is no universal "better" route.

Why Us

Why prepare your EB-1 case with Tech Nomads?

Evidence-led
All three categories
Attorney coordination
Green Card stage
Tech Nomads is a global mobility platform built for talented professionals, founders and leaders. We help turn complex achievements into structured, evidence-led immigration case materials.

Evidence-led preparation

Structured narratives mapped to USCIS criteria across all three EB-1 categories.

Support across talent routes

If EB-1 isn't the right fit yet, we can assess O-1 or EB-2 NIW as alternatives.

U.S. attorney coordination

Tech Nomads prepares case materials; the attorney reviews and files.
Verify Everything

Official U.S. government sources

Verify everything against primary sources. These are the official .gov resources for the EB-1 route. Tech Nomads is not affiliated with any of these agencies.
Always check official sources before any payment, document submission or filing decision. Government fees, processing times, priority dates and adjudication guidance can change.
FAQ

EB-1 Visa FAQs

Each answer cites USCIS as the source.

Who is eligible for the EB-1 visa?

EB-1 may be available to individuals with extraordinary ability (EB-1A), outstanding professors and researchers (EB-1B), or multinational executives and managers (EB-1C). The right category depends on your field, achievements, employer structure and evidence.

What is the difference between EB-1A, EB-1B and EB-1C?

EB-1A is for extraordinary ability and allows self-petition with no employer. EB-1B is for outstanding professors and researchers and needs a qualifying U.S. job offer. EB-1C is for multinational executives and managers transferring through a qualifying company structure.

Can I apply for EB-1 without an employer?

Yes, under EB-1A (extraordinary ability) you can self-petition without a U.S. employer. EB-1B and EB-1C require an employer or qualifying company relationship.

Is EB-1 better than EB-2 NIW?

Neither is universally better. EB-1 suits extraordinary ability, outstanding academics or multinational executives; EB-2 NIW may fit work with substantial merit and national importance. The right choice depends on your evidence, field and plans.

Does EB-1 lead to a Green Card?

Yes — EB-1 is an immigrant visa category that leads directly to U.S. permanent residency if the petition and Green Card application are approved.

What is Form I-140?

Form I-140 is the Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers filed with USCIS for EB-1 cases. Approval is a key step but is separate from the Green Card application itself.

What happens after EB-1 petition approval?

After I-140 approval, the Green Card stage proceeds via adjustment of status (Form I-485) inside the U.S. or consular processing outside the U.S., subject to priority date and visa availability.

Can my family be included?

Yes — a spouse and unmarried children under 21 may be included as derivative applicants and, if approved, may also become permanent residents.

How much does EB-1 cost?

USCIS fees include $715 for Form I-140 and $1,440 for I-485 (inside the U.S.); premium processing is an optional $2,805. Attorney and Tech Nomads fees are separate.

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