Do I need my employer's involvement for EB-1A?

No. EB-1A is self-petitioned — it is independent of your job and does not require employer sponsorship or PERM labor certification.

How do the India green card wait times compare?

The August 2026 Department of State Visa Bulletin lists India final-action positions of 15 October 2022 for EB-1, unavailable for EB-2, and 1 January 2014 for EB-3. These are cut-off dates, not personal wait-time estimates, and they can change monthly.

Am I extraordinary enough to qualify for EB-1A?

Possibly more than you think. If you have patents, publications, judging, awards, or senior and critical roles, you may already meet several of the ten criteria. A free evaluation gives you an honest read before you spend anything.

Escape the EB-2/EB-3 Backlog with EB-1A

Q: Can I switch from EB-2 or EB-3 to EB-1A?

Yes. You can pursue EB-1A while your existing petition stands. Many Indian professionals file EB-1A precisely to reach a much shorter queue.

Why Indian professionals are exploring EB-1A

The August 2026 Visa Bulletin shows sharply different final-action positions for India. These are cut-off dates, not predicted personal wait times:

EB-3 India

01 Jan 2014

EB-2 India

Unavailable

EB-1 India

15 Oct 2022

EB-1A also permits a self-petition without PERM. Cut-off dates can move or become unavailable; always check the current Department of State Visa Bulletin. General information, not legal advice.

Built for accomplished professionals across every field

EB-1A isn't only for scientists. If you've reached the top of your field, this route may be for you.

You might have the evidence already

Most people underestimate themselves. If any of these sound like you, you may already touch several of the ten EB-1A criteria:

Patents & publications

Filed patents, authored papers, or been cited in your field.

Judging & review

Peer-reviewed papers, judged hackathons, or sat on panels.

Leading roles

A critical or leading role on important projects or teams.

Awards & recognition

Won awards, or been recognised by respected bodies.

Original contributions

Work that meaningfully influenced how others do things.

Press & speaking

Media coverage of your work, or conference talks.

Check where you stand against all 10 criteria — free →

Build an attorney-ready evidence portfolio yourself

Build and organise your evidence before legal review. The platform guides you step by step, maps documents to the EB-1A criteria, and provides audio tutorials, templates, examples, and repository-backed document checks. When you take it to an attorney, they can begin with legal strategy instead of document sorting.

Monthly

$179/mo

Pay as you go, pause anytime.

3-Month Build Pass

$469

(Save $68)
Fixed price, about $156/mo. Matches the typical build.

Complete Build

$1,848

(Save $300)
Up to 12 months of full access.

The questionnaire and your evaluation are free — you only pay when you decide to build.

Questions from people in your position

Can I switch from EB-2/EB-3 to EB-1A?

Yes — you can pursue EB-1A while your existing petition stands. Many Indian professionals file EB-1A precisely to reach a much shorter queue.

Would I lose my old priority date?

Generally no. A priority date from an approved I-140 can usually be retained for a later petition, so an EB-1A approval may let you keep your earlier place in line. Confirm the specifics with your attorney.

Do I need my current employer's involvement?

No. EB-1A is self-petitioned — it's yours, independent of your job. That's a major reason people choose it.

Am I "extraordinary" enough?

Maybe more than you think. The free evaluation gives you an honest read against all ten criteria before you spend anything.

Do I still need a lawyer?

We recommend a review. Arriving prepared means their fees buy legal strategy, not paperwork. EB-1 Portfolio Builder is a software platform, not a law firm, and we never promise approval.

See where you stand — free

No payment to start. An honest read on your EB-1A case in about 15 minutes.

Start my free evaluation →

EB-1 Portfolio Builder is a software platform, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Information on this page is general and not legal advice. Immigration decisions are made solely by US government authorities. Visa Bulletin information was checked against the August 2026 Department of State bulletin and changes over time.

Stuck in the EB-2 or EB-3 Queue? Explore whether EB-1A could offer another path.

Explore what your evidence may support — free