EB-1A Guide · Last reviewed 2026-06-19
How to get an EB-1A (Einstein Visa), step by step
The EB-1A, also known as the Einstein Visa, is a US green card for people of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. No employer sponsorship is required. You can self-petition. Here is the path from a first CV upload to an approved Form I-140.
New to the criteria? Read the 10 EB-1A requirements. Budgeting? See the EB-1A cost breakdown.
Confirm you qualify on at least 3 of 10 criteria
USCIS requires you to satisfy at least three of these ten EB-1A criteria with documentary evidence, OR show a single one-time achievement (e.g., a Nobel Prize, Oscar, Olympic medal), per the USCIS Policy Manual standard.
- Nationally or internationally recognized awards
- Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement
- Published material about you in professional media
- Judging the work of others in your field
- Original contributions of major significance
- Authorship of scholarly articles
- Display of work at exhibitions or showcases
- Critical or essential role at distinguished organizations
- High salary relative to peers
- Commercial success in performing arts
Assemble evidence for each criterion
One claim isn't enough. USCIS wants documentary proof for each criterion you cite. For press coverage that means the article PDF, a Wayback Machine archive of the URL, the outlet name, and the publication date. For awards that means the certificate and the panel selection criteria. For each recommender letter that means a sealed letter from someone with no employment relationship to you.
Recruit your recommenders
Plan to send 5 to 8 recommender letters with your petition. The strongest letters come from people who worked WITH you (former bosses, co-founders) and people in your field who DON'T know you personally but can attest to your impact (industry peers at competitor firms, professors who cite your work).
Mix of US-based and international, mix of academic and industry. Start outreach 6 to 8 weeks before you file.
Draft the petition brief
Your brief explains, for each criterion you claim, what evidence you have and why it satisfies the standard. It cites every exhibit by number. A typical EB-1A brief is 25 to 60 pages.
Many petitioners hire an attorney to draft this. You can also draft it yourself. USCIS approves self-filed EB-1A cases regularly. Lana writes a first draft that's attorney-ready.
File Form I-140 with USCIS
You submit Form I-140 (the Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker), the brief, every exhibit, the filing fee, and optionally Form I-907 for premium processing (a 15 business day decision instead of 6 to 12 months of regular review).
File by mail to the USCIS lockbox listed on the I-140 direct filing address page. USCIS routes EB-1A I-140 petitions to the Texas Service Center or the Nebraska Service Center based on the petitioner's state of residence. You don't pick the center.
Respond to RFE if one arrives
A Request for Evidence (RFE) means USCIS wants more proof on specific criteria. Roughly 1 in 3 EB-1A cases receive one. An RFE is not a denial. You have 87 days to respond with additional evidence and explanation. See the USCIS Policy Manual on EB-1A extraordinary ability for the standard the adjudicator applies to your response.
After approval: file Form I-485 or consular process
I-140 approval means USCIS classifies you as EB-1A. You still need a green card. If you're in the US on another status, file Form I-485 (adjustment of status). If you're abroad, consular process at your nearest US embassy and track your priority date in the DOS Visa Bulletin.
Let Lana help you assemble the case
Lana is your EB-1A research partner. Upload your CV. She finds the press, citations, awards, and recommenders that make your case extraordinary, then drafts an attorney-ready brief and exhibit binders.
Try Lana free