O-1A is temporary work authorisation. EB-2 NIW, EB-1A and EB-1B are immigrant classifications with distinct tests. The right route depends on the work, the evidence and who can petition.
An evidence map that separates the threshold criteria, the overall merits and the proposed US activity.
Distinct eligibility, documentation, application steps and FAQs for each route.
A temporary work classification for people with extraordinary ability in science, education, business or athletics. A properly structured U.S. agent petition can cover documented engagements with several employers; an entrepreneur’s separate U.S. company may also petition when the legal requirements are met.
Established temporary work classificationRequirements, process & FAQsBuild a permanent-residence case around a specific U.S. endeavour of substantial merit and national importance. NIW can suit researchers, technical specialists and entrepreneurs who meet the underlying EB-2 qualification and can justify waiving the normal job-offer and labour-certification requirements.
Established immigrant classification and discretionary waiverRequirements, process & FAQsAn immigrant classification for people with sustained recognition at the top of their field in science, arts, education, business or athletics. It permits self-petitioning without a job offer, while requiring clear evidence of continued work in the United States and prospective benefit.
Established first-preference immigrant classificationRequirements, process & FAQsA permanent-residence classification for internationally recognised professors and researchers with a qualifying U.S. employer and at least three years of relevant experience. It can suit academic institutions and established private research operations, including semiconductor and advanced-technology R&D.
Established employer-sponsored immigrant classificationRequirements, process & FAQsThe J-1 exchange visitor programme is administered by the Department of State through designated sponsors rather than by employer petition. The research scholar category supports up to five years of research, teaching or consultation at a US institution; the trainee and intern categories support structured, supervised training of up to 18 and 12 months respectively. The two-year home-country physical presence requirement under INA 212(e) attaches in defined cases and must be planned for before the programme begins, because it limits later moves to H, L or permanent status.
Established exchange-visitor classification administered by the Department of StateRequirements, process & FAQsEmployer-sponsored permanent residence normally ties the person to the petitioning employer and the offered job until the green card is granted. Section 204(j) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, enacted by the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act, allows a person whose adjustment of status application has been pending for 180 days or more to move to a new job with the same or a different employer, or to self-employment, provided the new job is in the same or a similar occupational classification. This page explains the mechanism, its conditions and its limits.
Route mechanism: statutory flexibility within employer-sponsored permanent residenceRequirements, process & FAQsStart with your objective, background and intended activity. WG can coordinate the next assessment and the appropriate professional input.