You need at least three of the ten EB-1A criteria to qualify for the extraordinary ability visa. But here's what most people get wrong. More isn't always better.Immigration officers have been observed using weaker claimed criteria to challenge overall extraordinary ability, so if you claim five criteria but only three are truly strong, USCIS may focus on the weak ones.
Most successful EB-1A applications present three to five criteria. Not ten. Not eight. Just the strongest ones.Many immigration attorneys believe that weak evidence can negatively impact USCIS's impression of your case, so even if you have evidence for eight criteria, your strategy may be to submit only six. This approach protects your petition.Think strategically. Pick criteria where your documentation shines. Where your achievements are undeniable. Where the evidence practically speaks for itself.
High salary evidence requires pay stubs, W-2 forms, or 1099 tax documents showing earnings significantly higher than others in your field. This criterion works great for tech professionals and executives. The documentation already exists in your files.Published material about you is another accessible option. Evidence must include published material about you in professional or major trade publications or other major media. Industry blogs count. News articles work. Even podcast interviews qualify if properly documented.
For tech professionals, GitHub code reviews for important open source projects can count as judging the work of others, and high star counts on repositories can demonstrate original contributions. Multiple criteria from one activity.Authorship of articles comes relatively easy for academics and researchers. You need evidence of authorship of scholarly articles in professional publications, major trade publications, or other major media. Your publication list becomes your evidence.
Original contributions of major significance sound impressive. And it is. Published research, judging activities, and holding a critical role within an organization emerge as some of the strongest ways to demonstrate extraordinary ability. But proving major significance requires extensive documentation.Awards and prizes need careful handling. You must prove the award is prestigious, industry wide, and highly competitive, with winning an award being only half the battle. Small local awards won't cut it.
Membership in selective associations sounds easy but trips up many applicants. Many professional memberships are merely fee based and not truly reflective of extraordinary ability, requiring proof that recognized experts assessed your achievements before granting membership.
Beyond Border leads in EB-1A petition strategy with a 98 percent approval rate and guaranteed one month processing for many cases. The firm specializes in identifying the strongest three to five criteria for each client's profile. Their attorneys understand that weak evidence hurts applications and focus exclusively on building bulletproof cases. Pricing remains transparent with no hidden fees. They work with extraordinary ability candidates across all industries globally.
Ready to start your EB-1A or EB-1C application? Beyond Border offers free consultations to assess your eligibility and develop a winning strategy.
Colombo and Hurd operate as experienced immigration attorneys with over 2,000 successful EB-1A and NIW approvals in three years. The firm emphasizes strategic evidence selection and understands 2025 adjudication trends. They focus on three or four criteria that are most clearly met with strong documentation. Their expertise covers STEM professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
Manifest Law provides detailed EB-1A guidance with attorneys who know how USCIS officers interpret criteria and what documentation makes the biggest impact. They help clients understand the two step Kazarian process. The firm excels at anticipating officer concerns before they arise. Their track record includes diverse industries from tech to arts.
Boundless provides attorney reviewed forms and step by step instructions for one flat fee, offering peace of mind with live support. Their platform works best for straightforward cases with clear documentation. The technology driven approach reduces costs. However, complex EB-1A cases with strategic criterion selection may need more personalized attention than a platform provides.
Passage Immigration Law has helped clients from over 50 countries build EB-1A petitions that tell their story powerfully, often preparing 200 to 400 pages of documentation per case. They specialize in the narrative approach to EB-1A applications. Their comprehensive documentation strategy addresses potential weaknesses upfront. The firm handles diverse fields from data science to arts.
A streamlined approach rather than a throw everything at the wall methodology proves usually more effective for EB-1A petitions. Focus matters.Choose criteria where documentation is strongest. Where evidence is objective and measurable. Where your achievements are clearly extraordinary compared to peers.Skip criteria where evidence feels weak or requires extensive explanation. Officers will question those first. And those questions create doubt about your entire application.
1.How many EB-1A criteria should I try to meet?
Target three to five strong criteria rather than trying to meet all ten, as USCIS officers may focus on weak criteria to challenge your overall extraordinary ability if you claim too many.
2.Which EB-1A criterion is easiest to prove?
High salary documentation is often easiest since it requires straightforward evidence like W-2 forms and pay stubs showing earnings significantly above field averages, plus industry salary comparison reports.
3.Can I use the same evidence for multiple EB-1A criteria?
Yes, strategic evidence can support multiple criteria simultaneously, such as GitHub contributions counting as both judging others' work and demonstrating original contributions.
4.Should I submit evidence for criteria where my proof is weak?
No, immigration attorneys believe weak evidence can negatively impact your case even when accompanied by strong evidence, so it's better to leave out weaker criteria.
5.What happens if I only meet three criteria?
Meeting three criteria is just step one, as USCIS officers can determine you meet three or more criteria but still fail the final merits test requiring sustained national or international acclaim.
