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EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Card Attorney | Harari Law

By Talia Harari, Attorney at Law. Updated September 2026.

The EB-1A is a green card for people with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. You can file it yourself, with no employer and no job offer, if your record shows sustained national or international acclaim and you will keep working in your field.

Key Takeaways

  • You can self-petition on Form I-140; no employer or labor certification is needed.
  • You qualify with one major international award, or by meeting at least 3 of 10 criteria.
  • USCIS then weighs the whole record in a final merits review.

Who Qualifies

You must show you are among the small group at the very top of your field. The ten criteria include lesser awards, selective memberships, press about you, judging others’ work, original contributions of major significance, scholarly articles, exhibitions, a leading role at distinguished organizations, high pay, and commercial success in the performing arts.

Meeting three is not the finish: USCIS then judges the whole record. See the USCIS EB-1 page.

How We Handle It

  1. Consultation. We review your record and plans.
  2. Strategy session with our legal team. We choose the criteria to argue, or a stronger path.
  3. Evidence and preparation. We gather awards, press, letters and proof of impact.
  4. Review and filing. You review the petition with us, then we file.

If you need to start working sooner, the O-1 visa uses similar evidence. Professionals whose work serves the national interest may fit the EB-2 NIW.

Ready to talk through your EB-1A case?

Request a Consultation

Flat fee, quoted in full before we begin. Admitted in New York, representing clients nationwide and abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the EB-1A different from the O-1?

The O-1 is a temporary work visa filed by an employer or agent. The EB-1A is a green card you file yourself.

Do I need a job offer?

No. You show you will keep working in your field here, usually with a statement and contracts or plans.

Can my family get green cards too?

Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can be included.

Related: all the visas we handle, O-1 visa, O-1 vs EB-1A.

This article is general information from Harari Law, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration law and agency policy change; outcomes depend on individual facts. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.