The EB-1 visa is an employment-based, first-preference visa that helps skilled people move to the United States. It’s for talented individuals, outstanding professors, researchers, and multinational executives and managers. This visa lets people with special skills work in the U.S. and become permanent residents.
New rules for proving your skills
USCIS has changed its rules about showing extraordinary ability. These changes make it easier to understand what proof you can use:
- Team awards: USCIS now considers evidence of team awards, whereas before, it primarily focused on individual achievements.
- Professional memberships: The emphasis has shifted to considering the length of memberships in professional associations, acknowledging that long-term involvement can indicate sustained contributions to a field.
- Published articles: USCIS now considers articles from reputable publications more broadly, without the strict requirement of directly demonstrating the impact of the applicant’s work.
- Exhibitions and displays: USCIS has expanded beyond purely artistic exhibitions to encompass other professional displays that showcase unique skills and expertise.
These new rules make more types of proof okay and help more people apply. They try to help applicants better understand what they need to show their unique skills.
What’s next
These new rules make the process more transparent and fairer. They replace the old rules and are effective immediately. These changes will help many people by making it easier to understand what proof to give when they apply.
Important Note: While the article provides a good overview, immigration law is complex. Anyone considering an EB-1 visa should consult an experienced immigration attorney for personalized advice.