The EB-1 is a first-preference employment-based U.S. green card for three categories: EB-1A (extraordinary ability, self-petition eligible), EB-1B (outstanding professors and researchers, requires employer sponsor), and EB-1C (multinational executives and managers, requires qualifying corporate relationship). All three skip the PERM labor certification process, making EB-1 the fastest employment-based green card pathway.

EB-1A is for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics , self-petition eligible, no employer required. EB-1B is for outstanding professors and researchers requires a job offer from a U.S. university or qualified employer. EB-1C is for executives and managers of multinational companies transferring to a U.S. entity, the natural progression from an L-1A visa.

The EB-1A overall approval rate dropped to 60.65% in FY 2024, the most aggressive adjudication year in the past decade and has partially recovered to approximately 66–67% in FY 2025. In 2026, RFE rates now run at 40–50% of all EB-1A filings. Well-prepared petitions with quantifiable impact evidence, credible expert letters, and a coherent narrative continue to show approval rates above 70% even in this tighter environment.

Yes. The EB-1A is one of the few U.S. green card categories that allows self-petition, you file Form I-140 directly with USCIS without a job offer or employer sponsor. This makes it the preferred pathway for independent researchers, founders, and senior professionals who cannot or do not wish to rely on an employer for immigration. Beyond Border handles self-petitioned EB-1A cases exclusively.

USCIS requires a sustained national or international acclaim standard plus documentation across at least three of ten evidentiary criteria: nationally or internationally recognised awards; exclusive memberships; published media coverage; judging or peer review; original contributions of major significance; scholarly articles; prominent roles in distinguished organisations; high salary relative to peers; commercial success (arts); evidence of critical employment. USCIS then applies a 'final merits' totality assessment.

Beyond Border completes I-140 petition drafting within one month of document receipt. USCIS I-140 standard processing takes 4–6 months; premium processing ($2,985) reduces this to 15 business days. After I-140 approval, applicants file for Adjustment of Status (inside the U.S.) or Consular Processing (outside the U.S.), both add 8–18 months depending on country of birth and visa bulletin priority dates.

A Request for Evidence is a USCIS notice asking for additional documentation before a decision is made. RFE rates for EB-1A petitions currently run at 40–50% of all filings. Beyond Border's RFE response is included in the service fee, we draft additional evidence, obtain supplemental expert letters, and reframe the petition narrative to address the specific objection raised by the adjudicating officer.