EB-1A Green Card

“EB1” simply refers to the applicant category.  The resultant status is the same: Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States.

EB-1A applicants must be able to demonstrate extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim. Their achievements must be recognized in their field through extensive documentation. No offer of employment is required. 

EB-1A applicants who claim to have Extraordinary Ability must either provide evidence of a one-time super achievement (eg, Nobel, Pulitzer, Oscar, Olympic medal) or meet three out of the following 10 criteria:

• Evidence of receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence
• Evidence of your membership in associations in the field which demand outstanding achievement of their members
• Evidence of published material about you in professional or major trade publications or other major media
• Evidence that you have been asked to judge the work of others, either individually or on a panel
• Evidence of your original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field
• Evidence of your authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media
• Evidence that your work has been displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases
• Evidence of your performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations
• Evidence that you command a high salary or other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field
• Evidence of your commercial successes in the performing arts

EB1 applicants in the category Extraordinary Ability do not need a job offer.

Yes, if they meet the criteria of “extraordinary ability” or can qualify as a multinational executive (for the EB-1C visa)

USCIS offers premium processing for EB-1A Petitions.  This expedited processing can reduce the adjudication time for the Petition to 15 days.  However, if USCIS requests additional evidentiary documentation, the process can be extended by an additional 15 days after receipt of the requested documents..