Most Brazilians in the U.S. believe that, in order to obtain a green card, they need an employer to sponsor them, a U.S. family member, or a million-dollar investment. However, there is a fourth option, and it is one of the most strategic: the EB-1A, the green card for professionals with extraordinary ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No job offer, no sponsor, and no PERM. In other words, you file your own petition based on your professional achievements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what does USCIS consider \u201cextraordinary ability\u201d? Do you have to be world-famous? No.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The EB-1A (Employment-Based First Preference \u2014 Extraordinary Ability) is a green card category for individuals who demonstrate extraordinary ability in their professional field in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
KEY BENEFITS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s the part that surprises a lot of people: USCIS doesn\u2019t require you to be world-famous. In fact, \u201cextraordinary ability\u201d means that you are among the few professionals who have reached the top of your field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HOW DO YOU QUALIFY FOR THE EB-1A?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You must meet one of the following two criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n CRITERION 1: A HIGHLY PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL AWARD<\/strong> CRITERION 2: AT LEAST 3 OF THE 10 USCIS CRITERIA<\/strong> EB-1A CRITERIA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Meeting all three criteria does not guarantee approval. In addition, USCIS evaluates the application as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WHO USUALLY QUALIFIES?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s worth remembering that recognition must come from outside the company, not just from the employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HOW DOES THE EB-1A PROCESS WORK?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n STEPS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
WHAT DOES \u201cEXTRAORDINARY ABILITY\u201d MEAN TO USCIS?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Like the Nobel Prize, the Oscars, or the Olympics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In practice, this is the most common approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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