EB-1B Immigrant Visa for Outstanding Professors and Researchers
EB-1B is an employment based immigrant classification applies to professors and researchers who are internationally recognized as exceptional in a particular scientific or scholarly field. Unlike self-petitioned EB-1A visas, EB-1B visas are employer-sponsored.
To qualify for EB-1B, one must demonstrate international recognition for outstanding achievements in a particular academic field. One must have at least 3 years experience in teaching or research in that academic area. One must be entering the United States in order to pursue tenure or tenure track teaching or comparable research position at a university or other institution of higher education. One must meet 2 out of the 6 listed criteria below to prove extraordinary ability in the field:
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Evidence of receipt of major prizes or awards for outstanding achievement.
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Evidence of membership in associations that require their members to demonstrate outstanding achievement.
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Evidence of published material in professional publications written by others about the alien's work in the academic field.
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Evidence of participation, either on a panel or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same or allied academic field.
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Evidence of original scientific or scholarly research contributions in the field.
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Evidence of authorship of scholarly books or articles (in scholarly journals with international circulation) in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a labor certification (PERM) for an EB-1B petition?
No. The EB-1B category falls under the first preference for employment-based immigration and is exempt from the labor certification (PERM) process. Applicants are not required to demonstrate that there are no qualified U.S. workers for the offered position. This exemption is one of the key advantages that makes the EB-1B process generally faster than the EB-2 or EB-3 categories.
Can I self-petition for an EB-1B green card?
No. The EB-1B petition must be filed by a U.S. employer; individuals cannot self-petition. The sponsoring employer must be a university, college, or qualifying research institution and must offer a teaching or research position that meets the standard of being “permanent” in nature.
What if I lose my job while my EB-1B petition is pending?
If you become unemployed within 180 days of filing Form I-485, you may lose eligibility to continue adjusting status. However, if your Form I-140 has been approved and your I-485 has been pending for more than 180 days, you may change employers—as long as the new position is in the same or similar occupational classification—without jeopardizing your adjustment of status. In addition, even if the I-485 is not approved, an approved I-140 allows you to retain your priority date for future immigrant petitions.
What is a “permanent job offer” under the EB-1B immigrant category?
A permanent job offer refers to a long-term teaching or research position offered by the employer without a defined end date. While the position does not need to be tenured, it must reflect the employer’s intent for ongoing employment. Qualifying positions typically include tenured roles, tenure-track appointments, or renewable research positions. Self-employment or freelance work does not meet the definition of a permanent position under the EB-1B category.