The 10 EB-1A Criteria, Explained in Plain English
The EB-1A “extraordinary ability” green card is judged against ten official USCIS criteria. Unless you have a one-time major internationally recognised award, you generally need to meet at least three of the ten — and most strong cases prove three to five deeply rather than all ten thinly.
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The platform maps your evidence to the EB-1 criteria so you always know what is evidenced, what is weak, and what is missing.
- ✓Awards & prizes
- ✓Distinguished memberships
- ✓Published material about you
- ✓Judging the work of others
- ✓Original contributions
- ✓Scholarly articles
- ✓Leading or critical role
- ✓High remuneration & more
Portfolio Strength Score
As you add evidence, your live strength score shows progress across the criteria — and AI Assist recommends what closes each gap.
Start Free Evaluation →The ten criteria, in plain language.
To qualify for EB-1A extraordinary ability, USCIS requires evidence of a one-time major internationally recognized achievement — or evidence meeting at least three of the ten criteria below. Most strong cases are built on three to five criteria, proven deeply. Here is what each one actually means.
1 · Awards & prizes
Nationally or internationally recognized awards for excellence in your field — from major industry prizes to prestigious competitive honors. EPB helps you evidence the award and its significance.
2 · Distinguished memberships
Membership in associations that demand outstanding achievement, judged by recognized experts — not memberships anyone can buy.
3 · Published material about you
Professional publications, major trade media, or mainstream press writing about you and your work — coverage of your impact, not by you.
4 · Judging the work of others
Peer review, competition judging, thesis committees, editorial boards — proof your field trusts your judgment of other experts' work.
5 · Original contributions
Original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business contributions of major significance — the criterion where impact evidence (citations, adoption, licensing, results) does the talking.
6 · Scholarly articles
Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or major media — evidenced with the publications themselves and the standing of the venues.
7 · Artistic exhibitions or showcases
Display of your work at artistic exhibitions or showcases — central for artists, designers, and creators.
8 · Leading or critical role
A leading or critical role for organizations with distinguished reputations — proven with org charts, letters, and evidence of what depended on you.
9 · High remuneration
Salary or remuneration high relative to others in your field — evidenced with contracts, tax records, and credible comparison data.
10 · Commercial success in the performing arts
Box office, sales, and streaming records for performers — commercial proof that audiences follow your work.
How EPB uses this framework: your questionnaire identifies which criteria your career can realistically satisfy; your strategy plan sequences them; and every document you upload is mapped, checked, and scored against them. You stop asking "am I extraordinary enough?" and start answering the real question — "can I prove it?" This page is general information, not legal advice; your attorney makes the final judgment on criteria strategy.
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