Skip to main content
Back to visa checker

United States · Permanent residence

EB-1A Extraordinary Ability (Green Card)

Processing
Varies by service center
Cost
From $1,015
Validity
Permanent residence

Permanent residence for people with sustained national or international acclaim at the top of their field.

Requirements

  • Extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics
  • Sustained national or international acclaim
  • A one-time major internationally recognized award, or evidence satisfying at least 3 of 10 regulatory criteria
  • A favorable final-merits determination based on the evidence as a whole
  • Will continue to work in area of expertise

Time and cost

Processing time
The I-140 petition varies by service center; premium processing gives USCIS 15 business days for adjudicative action. Visa availability and the final green-card stage add time
Validity
Permanent residence
Cost

From $1,015

Required

  • $715 Form I-140 petition
  • $300 self-petitioner Asylum Program Fee

Optional

  • $2,965 premium processing
  • Legal fees, if you hire a lawyer, come on top.

Documents

  • Form I-140

    Immigrant petition

  • Evidence of criteria met

    Similar to O-1A but higher bar

  • Expert testimonial letters (if it applies)

    Optional corroborating evidence; the regulations do not require letters

Your family

Status your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can hold alongside this route. Children can study on it too.

Derivative Green CardSpouse can work

Your spouse and eligible children can obtain permanent residence as derivative applicants. Each family member is processed separately and receives full work rights only after becoming a permanent resident.

  • For preference cases, the Child Status Protection Act generally subtracts petition-pending time from the child’s age when a visa becomes available. The child usually must seek permanent residence within one year
  • Derivative applicants adjusting status in the US may generally request an EAD with or after filing Form I-485; consular processing does not provide interim US work authorization

Tips

  • You may petition without an employer
  • No labor certification required
  • Avoiding PERM can shorten the petition path, but total timing still depends on USCIS processing and visa availability