EB1‑B Green Card for Outstanding Professors & Researchers

The EB1‑B visa is designed for outstanding professors and researchers who have achieved international acclaim in a specific academic area. Unlike EB1‑A, EB1‑B requires employer sponsorship—typically a U.S. university or research institution—but no labor certification.

Applicants must demonstrate all three of the following:

1. International recognition for outstanding achievements in a specific academic field.
2. At least three years of teaching or research experience in that field.
3. Offer of a tenured, tenure-track, or permanent research position from a qualifying U.S. employer with at least three full-time researchers or documented research accomplishments.

Evidence requirements include at least two of the six regulatory criteria:

• Major academic awards
• Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement
• Published material about the applicant’s work
• Judging others’ academic contributions
• Original research contributions
• Authorship of scholarly articles or books

Strategic Filing Tips:

• Provide reference letters from experts affirming your international reputation and impact.
• Clarify the nature of the position—tenure-track or indefinite research role with clear expectations.
• Detail your teaching or research history, including on-degree roles, with firm documentation.

Benefits & Timeline:

• Employer petitions via I‑140—no PERM required.
• Eligible for premium processing (around 15 calendar days).
• The green card also covers spouse and children under 21.
• Lifetime path to permanent residency with a focus on academic and research excellence.

Case Studies:

• A pharmaceutical researcher obtained approval after a NOID & premium upgrade in June 2025.
• A computer science assistant professor approved in just 8 days with premium processing.
• Early-career scholars with less than 3 years of experience have succeeded by contextualizing degree-time work.

The EB1‑B is an excellent route for academics and researchers who wish to bring their research careers to the U.S. permanently, especially in scholarship-driven institutions and high-impact roles.