You Didn’t Build an Ordinary Career. Don’t Settle for an Ordinary Path.
A self-sponsored path to U.S. permanent residency for individuals at the very top of their field — no employer required.
What Is the EB-1A?
The Green Card Visa for the Top of Your Field.
The EB-1A immigrant visa allows individuals at the very top of their field to self-petition for permanent U.S. residency and green card status — with no employer sponsor, no job offer, and no labor certification required. Our immigration services guide you through this process from eligibility evaluation to final green card issuance.
Your immigration application must demonstrate extraordinary ability through sustained national or international acclaim, satisfying at least 3 of 10 evidentiary criteria, and then pass a "final merits determination" showing your overall record places you at the top. The status conferred is permanent immigrant status in the United States.
None
Sponsor Required
3 of 10
Criteria to Meet
15 Days
Premium Processing
Key Benefits
Why People Choose EB-1A
01
Fully Self-Sponsored
No employer sponsor, job offer, or labor certification required.
02
No Visa Backlog (Most)
EB-1A priority date is current for most nationalities — no multi-year wait after I-140 approval.
03
Premium Processing
I-140 eligible for 15-business-day adjudication via premium processing.
04
Employer Freedom
Not tied to a specific employer — work anywhere in your field after approval.
05
Family Included
Spouse and unmarried children under 21 receive Green Cards as derivative beneficiaries.
06
Strong Transition from O-1
O-1 visa holders are excellent candidates — the evidence often directly supports both petitions.
For You If
This is the right fit
- You are recognized as a leader or expert in your field
- You have documented achievements — awards, publications, critical roles, media
- You want to self-petition without an employer
- You value a thorough, evidence-driven approach
- You’re ready to commit to building a comprehensive petition
Not the Right Fit If
This is not for you
- You’re early in your career without a documented track record
- You don’t have sustained recognition in your field at a national/international level
- You’re looking for a quick or low-cost Green Card option
- You want a guaranteed outcome without thorough documentation
Requirements
What’s Required
01
3 of 10 USCIS Criteria
Evidence
You must satisfy at least 3 of 10 regulatory criteria under 8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(3) — including awards, publications, judging, high salary, critical roles, and more — OR prove a one-time major international achievement.
02
Final Merits Determination
Standard
Even with 3+ criteria met, USCIS reviews the totality of your record to confirm extraordinary ability at a national or international level. This is where most strong petitions are won.
03
Self-Petition
Filing
You file as an individual seeking recognition for your existing achievements. No employer required at any stage.
04
Sustained Acclaim
Duration
USCIS requires evidence of sustained — not merely current — national or international recognition in your field.
Application Process
The EB-1A Journey, Step by Step
Week 1–2
Evidence Audit & Criteria Mapping
We conduct a deep assessment of your professional record against all 10 criteria before drafting anything.
Weeks 2–4
Strategy Development
We identify your 3–5 strongest criteria and build the final merits narrative around them.
Weeks 4–8
Petition Drafting
We draft legal argument, reference letters, and supporting documentation in language USCIS responds to.
Week 8–10
Filing (Premium Processing)
We file with USCIS — premium processing available for 15-business-day adjudication.
Months 3–18
AOS or Consular Processing
Following I-140 approval, we guide you through adjustment of status or consular processing to your Green Card.
Our Services
What AmLaw Does on a EB-1A Case
01
Evidence Mapping & Gap Analysis
We map your full professional record against the 10 criteria and identify gaps to address before filing the immigrant visa application.
02
Final Merits Strategy
We build the overarching narrative for the final merits determination — the most critical element of any EB-1A immigrant visa application.
03
Reference Letter Development
We identify, brief, and guide letter writers to produce reference letters that address the immigration law standard directly.
04
I-140 Green Card Application Filing
We draft and file the complete I-140 immigrant visa application, with premium processing where applicable.
05
RFE Response Services
If a Request for Evidence is issued during your green card application process, we prepare a comprehensive response addressing every point raised.
06
Green Card Application Completion
We manage the full path from approval to green card status — including adjustment of status or consular processing as part of our immigration services.
Why Choose AmLaw
This Practice Was Built Differently.
Selective, Not Volume-Based
Fewer cases — not more. Every client receives direct attorney oversight. You work with the person who knows your case.
Strategy Before Paperwork
We build your immigration strategy first, then structure documentation around it. The form is the last step, not the first.
Long-Term Outcome Focus
We plan the full lifecycle of your case from day one and remain available after approval.
Built for Investors & Talent
Designed around entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and exceptional professionals. We understand the financial dimensions others miss.
Direct Attorney Access
No junior associates handling your case unsupervised. Senior attorneys review and sign off on all filings.
Multilingual Team
English and Russian — so complex legal concepts are communicated clearly, not lost in translation.
Testimonials
Trusted by Families Worldwide
Incredible team. From the moment we started working together, it was clear that AmLaw Group operates at a completely different level than general immigration firms.
AmLaw consistently went above and beyond. They anticipated issues before they arose and kept us fully informed throughout the entire process. First-submission approval.
Charles and his team structured our case from scratch. Exceptional firm — detailed, strategic, and genuinely invested in our outcome.
FAQ
Common Questions
Do I need an employer to sponsor my EB-1A immigration application?
No. The EB-1A is a self-petition immigrant visa — no employer, job offer, or labor certification required. You file the immigration application on your own behalf.
What does "extraordinary ability" mean for this immigrant visa?
For this immigrant visa, extraordinary ability is an immigration law standard defined as a level of expertise indicating that you are among the small percentage of individuals who have risen to the very top of your field, as evidenced by sustained national or international acclaim.
How many of the 10 criteria do I need to meet for my green card application?
Your green card application must satisfy at least 3 of the 10 regulatory criteria. However, meeting 3 is not automatically sufficient — the authorities then perform a "final merits determination" evaluating your overall record. Stronger evidence across more criteria leads to better immigration outcomes.
Is there a visa backlog for EB-1A green card applications?
For most nationalities, the EB-1A immigrant visa priority date is current, meaning there is no multi-year wait after I-140 approval. However, Indian and Chinese nationals may face backlog delays due to per-country annual caps.
Can I use the EB-1A green card to change jobs?
Yes. Unlike employer-sponsored immigrant visa categories, the EB-1A is not tied to a specific employer or job. Once your green card application is approved, you are free to work in your field with any employer — or be self-employed.
How long does the full EB-1A green card application process take?
With premium processing for the I-140 (15 business days), you can receive a decision on the immigrant visa quickly. The subsequent adjustment of status or consular processing phase typically takes 6–18 months depending on immigration workload.
Contact Us
Book a Strategy Session
Every case starts with a complimentary, frank conversation about your goals, your timeline, and your situation. Confidential, focused, and no obligation.
Office 1920 E Hallandale Beach Blvd, Suite 709 · Hallandale Beach, FL
Attorney advertising. Charles Raether, Esq. is responsible for the content of this page. Principal office: 1920 E Hallandale Beach Blvd, Suite 709, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.