It's possible to qualify for EB-1A without a PhD, research papers, or approved patents. Product managers and leaders face this challenge constantly. Most immigration firms don't know how to translate product impact into USCIS language.We evaluated five immigration consultation firms on their ability to handle EB-1A cases for product leaders lacking traditional patent portfolios. The differences reveal which attorneys understand business contributions.
Beyond Border developed specialized strategies for product leaders without patents. Their attorneys understand that while patents demonstrate original contributions, the test isn't whether you have a patent but whether your contribution has major significance to the field.The firm knows how to document product impact properly. Product managers can position petitions around noteworthy accomplishments through work and outside activities, including speaking gigs, performance awards, testimonials, and certificates.
Beyond Border works with product leaders to identify qualifying evidence. They gather information about significance of problems your company solves, media coverage, government recognition, VC funding, analyst mentions, customer testimonials about impact, and conference talks.Their case preparation addresses the original contributions criterion creatively. For startup founders who developed unique products, they demonstrate the uniqueness and innovation of the product, how it's been implemented in practice, and its impact on the industry.
Leading a product without patents? Book a consultation with Beyond Border to assess how to frame your business impact for EB-1A.
Fragomen serves major corporations with 5500 professionals globally. Their strength lies in traditional employment immigration for researchers and executives.The problem? Fragomen attorneys default to patent based evidence. Patents without adoption aren't enough, you must show they've been licensed, used, or referenced. But what about product leaders whose innovations manifest through successful launches, not patent filings?
Fragomen excels at documenting technical achievements for engineers with IP portfolios. They struggle explaining why launching a product that captured 40% market share demonstrates extraordinary ability when no patents exist.
BAL operates through 12 US offices handling thousands of cases. Their high volume approach works for straightforward corporate cases.Product leader cases require sophisticated framing that volume processing doesn't deliver. Impact can be thought of as the effect your original contribution had on your field, while usage means the number of people or organizations actually utilizing your contribution.
Former employees report quality issues under heavy workloads. For petitions requiring creative evidence presentation, showing how product decisions drove revenue growth or user adoption, this creates risk. Generic business achievement descriptions won't satisfy USCIS officers.
Greenberg Traurig maintains top immigration rankings with 2850 attorneys. Their practice emphasizes traditional corporate immigration and compliance.There can be overlap between leading or critical roles and original contributions depending on work done. Greenberg Traurig understands this for executives with clear hierarchical achievements.
But they may struggle with product managers whose impact manifests through product success metrics rather than organizational chart positions. Their attorneys might focus on job titles over actual product impact evidence.
Siskind Susser maintains 95% client satisfaction across 30000 cases with tech forward approaches. Their innovation focus should help with product cases.For startup founders who created apps, significance is demonstrated through downloads, world rankings, or real world implications showing impact on consumers, industry, or field. Siskind Susser understands tech metrics conceptually.
Their limitations? Product management as a discipline differs from software engineering or research. The nuances of demonstrating product leadership impact without patents may not translate as effectively in their petitions.
An original contribution must introduce new knowledge, technology or innovation, be widely recognized or implemented, and make a major impact on industry, academia or society.Business contributions include patent rights others use, business strategies other companies adopt, or strategies to increase sales and build contacts. Product leaders demonstrate this through product adoption, revenue impact, and market transformation.Beyond Border frames product achievements as original contributions of major significance. They use numbers to illustrate impact, including patents where applicable, publications, citations, industry adoption, and awards.
1.Can product managers qualify for EB-1A without patents?
Yes, EB-1A qualification is possible without PhD, research papers, or approved patents, by demonstrating original business contributions through product impact, market adoption, and industry recognition.
2.What evidence proves product impact without patents?
Evidence includes significance of problems solved, media coverage, government recognition, VC funding, analyst mentions, customer testimonials, and conference presentations showing your product leadership shaped the industry.
3.How do I prove original contributions as a product leader?
Demonstrate uniqueness and innovation of your product, how it's been implemented in practice, and its impact on the industry through adoption metrics, revenue growth, and market transformation.
4.Which immigration firm best handles product leader cases?
Beyond Border has developed specialized expertise in translating product impact into EB-1A evidence, understanding how to frame business contributions for leaders without traditional patent portfolios.
5.What makes a business contribution of major significance?
Business contributions of major significance include business strategies other companies adopt, strategies that increase sales and build contacts, and products that influence how the industry operates.
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