EB-1A Green Card

The EB-1A visa is an immigrant visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. It provides a pathway to U.S. permanent residency (green card) without requiring a specific job offer or employer sponsorship, provided the applicant will continue working in their field of expertise.

Who is the Visa for?

  • Scientists, researchers, and academics


  • Artists, musicians, and creative professionals


  • Entrepreneurs and business leaders


  • Athletes, coaches, and other high-level professionals


  • Educators and thought leaders in specialized fields


Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must show evidence of sustained national or international acclaim. They may qualify in two ways:

  • One-time achievement: Receipt of a major internationally recognized award (e.g., Nobel Prize, Olympic Medal).


  • Or, at least 3 out of 10 criteria below:

    • Receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes/awards for excellence


    • Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement


    • Published material about the applicant in professional or major trade publications or other media


    • Participation as a judge of the work of others in the same or allied field


    • Original contributions of major significance to the field


    • Authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other media


    • Display of work at artistic exhibitions or showcases


    • Performance in a leading/critical role for distinguished organizations


    • Commanding a high salary or other significantly high remuneration compared to others in the field


    • Commercial successes in the performing arts

Visa Duration:

  • Grants U.S. permanent residency (green card).

  • No fixed “duration” permanent status with eligibility for naturalization after meeting residency requirements.

Processing Time:

  • Form I-140: Premium Processing available (15 days)

  • Form I-485: Timeline depends on visa bulletin priority dates

  • Overall: Processing varies by USCIS Service Center & applicant’s country

OpenSphere Services:

  • Strategic case evaluation & legal strategy

  • Petition drafting, evidence curation & exhibit preparation

  • RFE & NOID response support

  • Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing guidance