EB-1B Outstanding Researcher Visa in Calabasas: Green Card for Academic Excellence
Employment-based immigration for professors and researchers of international acclaim
Quick Answer
For outstanding professors and researchers in Calabasas and the Los Angeles area seeking permanent residence, the EB-1B green card category offers a path without labor certification. SoCal Immigration Services provides Arabic-speaking guidance for academic professionals.
Reviewed for accuracy by
Maria Santos
DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience
For outstanding professors and researchers in Calabasas and the Los Angeles area seeking permanent residence, the EB-1B green card category offers a path without labor certification. SoCal Immigration Services provides Arabic-speaking guidance for academic professionals.
What is the EB-1B Outstanding Researcher Category?
• International recognition as outstanding in a specific academic field
• Minimum 3 years of experience in teaching or research
• Job offer for a tenured or tenure-track position OR a comparable research position
• No labor certification required (faster than EB-2 and EB-3)
EB-1B Eligibility Requirements
- •Major prizes or awards for outstanding achievement in your field
- •Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement
- •Published material about your work in professional publications
- •Participation as a judge of others' work in your field
- •Original scientific or scholarly contributions of major significance
- •Authorship of scholarly books or articles in scholarly journals
The 3-Year Experience Requirement
• Teaching experience at university level counts
• Research experience counts (including graduate research)
• Experience can be from any country
• Must be in the specific field of outstanding achievement
• Time as a student doing research may count if published
Document this experience with detailed letters from supervisors.
Job Offer Requirements
| Academic Position | Research Position | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Tenured professor | Research position | University/college |
| Tenure-track | Comparable position | University/private employer |
| University only | University OR private | 3+ years experience |
| Teaching/research | Research only | Permanent position |
Documentation to Prove Outstanding Achievement
- •Awards: Certificates, press coverage, selection criteria showing prestige
- •Memberships: Letters confirming membership requires outstanding achievement
- •Published material about you: Articles, books mentioning your contributions
- •Judging: Evidence of peer review, grant review, dissertation committees
- •Original contributions: Letters from experts explaining significance
- •Authorship: Published articles, books, citation counts
EB-1B vs. EB-1A Extraordinary Ability
| Factor | EB-1B (Outstanding) | EB-1A (Extraordinary) |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor Required | Yes - employer petition | No - self-petition |
| Evidence Standard | 2 of 6 criteria | 3 of 10 criteria (or major award) |
| Job Required | Yes - tenured/research position | No job offer needed |
| Field Restriction | Academic/research only | Any field (arts, business, etc.) |
| Experience Required | 3 years minimum | No minimum required |
The EB-1B Petition Process
- •Step 1: Employer agrees to sponsor you
- •Step 2: Gather evidence of 2+ criteria
- •Step 3: Employer files Form I-140 with USCIS
- •Step 4: Pay filing fee ($715 + possible premium processing)
- •Step 5: USCIS adjudicates petition (2-6 months regular, 15 days premium)
- •Step 6: If in US with valid status, file I-485 adjustment of status
- •Step 7: Attend biometrics and possible interview
- •Step 8: Receive green card
Concurrent Filing
• EB-1 is usually current (no visa wait time)
• File I-140, I-485, I-131 (travel), and I-765 (work permit) together
• Receive work authorization and travel document while waiting
• Continue working on EAD card if status changes
• Job portability possible after 180 days if I-140 approved
What Makes a Strong EB-1B Case
- •High citation counts for your published research
- •Awards from recognized national/international organizations
- •Invited presentations at major conferences
- •Grants received for original research
- •Letters from independent experts outside your institution
- •Evidence your work has been built upon by other researchers
- •Media coverage of your research contributions
- •Service on editorial boards of scholarly journals
Private vs. University Employers
University/Academic:
• Tenured or tenure-track position required
• Teaching and/or research duties
• Traditional academic appointment
Private Employer:
• Must employ at least 3 full-time researchers
• Position must be permanent
• Research must be in your academic field
• Employer must document research activities
Calabasas EB-1B Services
- •Eligibility evaluation for EB-1B category
- •Identifying which 2+ criteria you meet
- •Gathering and organizing supporting evidence
- •Coordinating with sponsoring employer
- •Preparing expert opinion letters
- •Arabic to English translation of academic credentials
- •I-140 petition preparation
- •Concurrent I-485 filing assistance
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Q:Can I self-petition for EB-1B?
A: No, EB-1B requires an employer sponsor. If you want to self-petition without an employer, consider EB-1A (extraordinary ability) or EB-2 NIW (national interest waiver).
Q:Does my PhD count toward the 3-year requirement?
A: Research conducted during PhD studies may count if you can show it was significant independent research, especially if it resulted in publications. Get a letter from your advisor documenting this.
Q:What if I'm changing fields?
A: Your outstanding achievement must be in the same field as your job offer. If switching fields, your prior achievements won't qualify you for EB-1B in the new field.
Q:How many citations do I need?
A: There's no specific number required. USCIS looks at citations in context - compare your citations to others in your field at similar career stages. Quality matters more than quantity.
Q:Can a non-profit sponsor EB-1B?
A: Yes, research institutions including non-profit organizations can sponsor EB-1B if they have permanent research positions and employ at least 3 full-time researchers.
Q:What's the processing time for EB-1B?
A: Regular processing takes 2-6 months for I-140. Premium processing ($2,805 extra) guarantees 15 calendar days. After I-140 approval, I-485 currently takes 6-18 months.
Are You an Outstanding Researcher in Calabasas?
If you've achieved international recognition in your academic field, the EB-1B green card may be your fastest path to permanent residence. Our team can evaluate your qualifications.
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