EB-1B: Outstanding Professors and Researchers
Employment-Based First Preference (EB-1B) Visa
The EB-1B visa is an employment-based immigrant visa designed for outstanding professors and researchers who have achieved international recognition in their academic field. This green card category allows top academics to live and work permanently in the United States while contributing their expertise to U.S. universities, colleges, or private employers with strong research programs.
The EB-1B is part of the prestigious EB-1 First Preference category, which offers faster processing and does not require a PERM labor certification.
Who Qualifies for the EB-1B Visa?
To qualify as an Outstanding Professor or Researcher, you must:
✅ Be Recognized Internationally: Demonstrate international recognition for outstanding achievements in a specific academic field.
✅ Meet the Experience Requirement: Have at least three years of experience in teaching or research in your academic area.
✅ Have a Qualifying Job Offer: Have a permanent or tenured teaching position, tenure-track position, or a comparable research position from:
A U.S. university or institution of higher education, or
A private employer with an established research department that employs at least three full-time researchers and has a documented record of significant research accomplishments.
How to Prove Outstanding Ability
Applicants must provide evidence showing at least two of the following:
✅ Receipt of major prizes or awards for outstanding achievement.
✅ Membership in associations that require outstanding achievements of their members.
✅ Published material about the applicant’s work in professional publications or major media.
✅ Participation as a judge of the work of others in the same or a related field.
✅ Original scientific or scholarly research contributions of major significance to the field.
✅ Authorship of scholarly books or articles in international journals with circulation in the field.
Filing Process
✅ Form I-140 Petition: The U.S. employer must file Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, on the professor’s or researcher’s behalf. Self-petitioning is not allowed for EB-1B — a valid job offer is required.
✅ Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing:
If the beneficiary is in the U.S., they may file Form I-485 to adjust status when a visa number is available.
If outside the U.S., consular processing through a U.S. embassy or consulate is required.
✅ No PERM Required: Unlike many other employment-based green cards, the EB-1B does not require a PERM labor certification.
Benefits of the EB-1B Visa
✅ Priority green card processing under the First Preference category.
✅ No labor certification required.
✅ Direct path to lawful permanent residence for the professor/researcher, spouse, and unmarried children under 21.
✅ Freedom to live and work permanently anywhere in the United States.
✅ Eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after five years as a permanent resident.
Who Should Consider the EB-1B?
The EB-1B is ideal for:
University or college professors with tenure or on a tenure track.
Experienced researchers recruited by U.S. institutions or qualified private employers with a proven research program.
Academics seeking a faster path to permanent residency through recognized excellence in their field.
How USCIS Expert Helps
At USCIS Expert, we work closely with outstanding professors, researchers, and their sponsoring employers to navigate the EB-1B process. We:
Evaluate eligibility and advise on required documentation.
Help gather and organize strong evidence of international recognition.
Prepare and file a complete and persuasive Form I-140 petition.
Guide you through the adjustment of status or consular process.
Provide ongoing support to ensure your case meets all USCIS requirements.
Open Doors to Academic Excellence in the United States
If you are an outstanding professor or researcher ready to advance your career in the United States, the EB-1B visa may be your best pathway to permanent residency.
Contact USCIS Expert today to learn more about eligibility, required evidence, and how we can help you secure your future in the U.S. with confidence.