The Outstanding Professors and Researchers is a subcategory of the Employment-Based EB-1 immigrant visa. EB-1B recipients have a highly acknowledged record in a scholarly or scientific field. Like the extraordinary ability and multinational manager/executive categories, the EB-1B does not require a PERM Labor Certification.
See if you qualify for the EB-1B Green Card
However, it does require a permanent job offer from a U.S. employer, unlike the self-petitioned EB-1A cases. Unlike the extraordinary ability category, which spans many fields, the EB-1B job offer must come solely from scientific or scholarly fields. The U.S. employer would be the petitioner, and the applicant would be the named beneficiary of the EB-1B.
Commonly referred to as the outstanding researcher visa or professor visa, the EB-1B requires the applicant to receive sponsorship from a U.S. employer throughout the total length of the petition admission process. For the outstanding professors and researchers, the qualified employer must be a university or institution of higher education.
The qualified U.S. employer is required to provide achievements in research and recognition. If, instead, the U.S. employer is a private company, the department of the employer is required to hire at least three scholars to contribute to research activities. The private employer must also have documented evidence of distinguished achievement.
Outstanding Researcher Green Card Requirements
The requirements for the outstanding researcher category are as follows:
- Have the ability to exhibit evidence of your international achievements.
- Must have a minimum of three years of teaching or research experience.
- The intent of entry in the United States must be purely based on receiving tenure, tenure track, or presenting comparable research at a university or another qualified institution.
What Documents Are Needed For EB-1B Outstanding Professors and Researchers?
To receive approval for an outstanding professor or researcher visa, you must provide the following documentation:
- Must provide evidence of your international acknowledgments within your field.
- Applicant must have at least two of the accepted articles of evidence.
- Documented proof of significant awards and prizes in your field
- Membership in prestigious organizations associated with the applicant’s field. Must demonstrate achievements within the organization.
- Recognition by others in the form of a professional or media publication within the applicant’s field.
- Having been a judge of the work of your peers individually or on a panel.
- Created significant, original scholarly or scientific research in the field.
- Published scholarly books, articles, or journals with international circulation.
What Is The EB-1B Green Card Processing Time?
Several factors go into EB-1B processing time. The first factor is the I-140 processing time. According to USCIS, 80% of cases are processed in 18.5 months.
This time can vary depending on the caseload of the service center processing your petition.
If this processing time is too long, you can opt for premium processing, which can shorten this time to 15 business days. The fee for premium processing is $2,965.
The I-140 processing time is also determined by your priority date. The day that you file your I-140 petition is your “priority date”. You will then need to check the monthly visa bulletin released by the Department of State to see if your priority date matches or passes the “final action date” given in your category and country.
Once that happens, your priority date will be considered current. A visa number will become available, and you will be able to move on to final step.
Fortunately, except for India and China, the EB-1 category typically has current priority dates, meaning that you can adjust your status as soon as your I-140 is approved.
The next step is to submit the I-485 Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status. This form can be filed as soon as your priority date is current and can take about 6-12 months to process. Unfortunately, you cannot use the premium processing service for this step.
Once your I-485 is approved, your status is automatically adjusted to legal permanent resident, and your green card is mailed to you in the coming months.
Consular Processing
The above process is for those who are already working in the U.S. under a nonimmigrant visa such as the O-1 or H-1B. However, if you are currently abroad and wish to enter the U.S. through an EB-1B green card, you will need to go through consular processing. This involves going to a designated U.S. consulate or embassy for a personal interview with a consular officer.
The wait time for this appointment will depend on the workload of the consulate or embassy. Some applicants only need to wait a few weeks, while others need to wait several months. You will go through security and background checks, and you will most likely have your biometrics taken (e.g., fingerprints).
At the appointment, a consular officer will ask you questions about yourself, your work, your experience, and your plans in the U.S. This interview is not designed to interrogate you but rather to determine if you are who you say you are and if your qualifications meet the standards.
What Are The EB-1B Fees?
Based on the process outlined above, we can break each step down and determine the fees that go along with getting your EB-1B card.
Adjusting Your Status
Adjusting status is for those who are already in the United States on another valid temporary visa:
- I-140 basic filing fee: $715
- Premium processing fee (optional): $2,965
- I-485 fee: $1,440. Exemptions and fee reductions may apply.
Consular Processing
Consular processing is for those who live outside the United States and are applying for the visa from abroad:
- I-140 basic filing fee: $715
- Premium processing fee (optional): $2,965
- DS-260 fee: $345
- Medical Fees and Vaccines: Varies
When calculating the cost of your EB-1B green card, you should also factor in any traveling that might be necessary, as well as an attorney’s fee if you decide to retain an EB-1B lawyer.
Outstanding Researcher VisaNation Success Story
In a recent case, VisaNation supported a talented food scientist to gain approval to work with a private food company. By demonstrating the client’s research on plant-based alternatives to meat and experience as a peer reviewer for the Nutrition and Food Science Journal, we secured approval in 15 days
Outstanding Professors and Researchers FAQs
Who can an EB-1 visa holder help within their family?
An EB-1 visa holder can provide permanent residency status to their spouse as well as minor children (unmarried and under the age of 21). The spouse and children can also work in the U.S.
Who can be an EB-1 or EB-2 employer?
The EB-1 visa petitioner should be employed by one of the following:
- Institution of higher education (i.e., University)
- A private institute or department that employs at least 3 full-time researchers.
What is the waiting period for an EB-1B Visa holder?
Individuals who apply for EB-1 status can achieve lawful permanent resident status via an EB-1 visa in as little as six months to one year, and after typically becoming naturalized citizens in a span of five years. If you intend to take this path, however, it’s recommended to first consult an EB-1 lawyer.