EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Card
The green card you can win on your own record.
EB-1A is the first-preference employment green card: no employer sponsorship, no PERM labor certification, and current priority dates for most countries. If your work has acclaim to show for it, this is the fastest route to permanent residence.
Built for people like you.
Founders & executives
Built companies, raised significant funding, led products or teams whose results the industry noticed.
Researchers & academics
Strong publication and citation records, peer review service, and original contributions to your discipline.
Engineers & technologists
Patents, influential systems or open-source work, critical roles at distinguished companies, top-of-market compensation.
O-1 holders ready for the next step
If you already hold an O-1, much of your evidence maps directly onto EB-1A, often stronger after a few years in the U.S.
What USCIS actually looks for.
USCIS applies ten criteria, and you must satisfy at least three, then persuade the officer, on the whole record, that you're among the small percentage at the very top of your field. The final merits argument is where cases are won.
You need at least 3 of these 10 criteria, plus a winning final-merits argument
Awards
Nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence.
Selective memberships
Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement of their members.
Press about you
Published material about you in professional, trade, or major media.
Judging others
Participation as a judge of the work of others in your field.
Original contributions
Original contributions of major significance, the backbone criterion of most strong cases.
Scholarly articles
Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or major media.
Exhibitions
Display of your work at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
Leading or critical role
A leading or critical role for organizations with a distinguished reputation.
High salary
Compensation high relative to others in the field.
Commercial success
Commercial success in the performing arts (box office, sales, streams).
Which of these sound like you?
Tick every one you could show real evidence for. It's private, instant, and not legal advice, just a fast read on whether a EB-1A case is worth a conversation.
The Silverpoint Guarantee
Approved, or your attorney fees back.*
If we accept your case and USCIS does not approve your petition, we refund 100% of the attorney fees you paid us. This is a refund promise about our fees, not a guarantee of any government decision, which rests solely with USCIS. Government filing fees and third-party costs are excluded. Read the full terms.
Why we can offer it
- We assess your case in writing before you pay us anything.
- We only take cases we believe USCIS should approve.
- RFE and NOID responses are included in every flat fee. We finish what we file.
A clear process, on a clock.
- 01 Day 0
Free strategy session
A 30-minute call mapping your record against the ten criteria and the final-merits standard. We tell you plainly: file now, build first, or choose a different category.
- 02 Within 48 hours
Written eligibility assessment
Within 48 hours, a written criterion-by-criterion analysis with our recommended filing strategy and evidence plan.
- 03 5-9 weeks
Case building
We draft the petition letter, assemble exhibits, and prepare recommendation letters from experts. Nothing is filed until you've reviewed it.
- 04 15 business days
Filing & decision
We file the I-140 with premium processing for a decision in 15 business days, then guide your adjustment of status or consular processing.
One flat fee, quoted after your free assessment.
One flat attorney fee covering the I-140 petition, RFE and NOID responses included. Adjustment of status or consular processing quoted separately. Government fees paid directly to USCIS.
Payment plans available. See how our pricing works.
- Free strategy session + written assessment before you engage us
- Senior strategist and licensed attorneys, start to finish
- RFE and NOID responses included, never an add-on
- 100% attorney-fee refund if your petition isn’t approved*
- *See full guarantee terms.
EB-1A questions, answered.
Do I need an employer to sponsor me?
No. EB-1A is fully self-petitioned, no employer, no job offer, no labor certification. Your record is the case.
How is EB-1A different from EB-2 NIW?
EB-1A demands a higher standard of acclaim but is first-preference: priority dates are current for most countries, so the total path to a green card is usually faster. NIW is a lower evidentiary bar but sits in the EB-2 queue, which is backlogged for some countries. In the strategy session we'll tell you which fits your record. Many clients file NIW now and EB-1A later, or both.
What are my odds?
That depends entirely on your evidence, which is why we do a written assessment before you pay us anything. We only take cases we believe will be approved, and we back that judgment with a fee refund if USCIS doesn't approve your petition.
Can I file while in the U.S. on another visa?
Yes. Most of our EB-1A clients file from O-1, H-1B, or L-1 status. Filing an I-140 does not disturb your current status.
How long until I actually hold a green card?
The I-140 can be decided in 15 business days with premium processing. Total time to permanent residence depends on your country of birth and whether you adjust status in the U.S. or process at a consulate, typically several months to a year for current priority dates.
Find out if the EB-1A is your path.
Click the button below to see if you qualify to work with Silverpoint. It takes just 3 minutes.
Completing the form does not create an attorney-client relationship, and your details stay confidential.