EB-1B Green Card
The EB-1B visa is an employment-based, first preference green card category for outstanding professors and researchers who are internationally recognized for their academic achievements. Unlike temporary work visas, it provides a direct pathway to U.S. permanent residence.
Examples include professors with international recognition, published scholars, and researchers in leading universities, research institutions, or private companies with strong R&D departments.
Must have at least 3 years of experience in teaching or research in the academic field.
Must be recognized internationally as outstanding in the field.
Must be offered a tenure/tenure-track teaching position at a university, or a permanent research role with either:
A university or other higher education institution, or
A private employer with a documented history of significant research achievements and at least 3 full-time researchers.
Evidence must demonstrate at least 2 of 6 USCIS criteria, such as:
Major prizes/awards for outstanding achievement
Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements
Published material written about the applicant in professional journals or major media
Participation as a judge of others’ academic/research work
Original scientific or scholarly research contributions
Authorship of scholarly books or articles
Processing Time
Premium Processing: 15 business days (Form I-907)
USCIS I-140 (Standard): Several months
Green Card Step: Depends on visa bulletin & country
Visa Duration
As an immigrant visa/green card, this is permanent residence (not time-limited like nonimmigrant visas).
Green card status is valid for 10 years and renewable indefinitely.
OpenSphere Services
Case evaluation & evidence strategy
Petition drafting & academic profile positioning
RFE/NOID response support
End-to-end guidance through I-140 and Adjustment of Status/Consular Processing
