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Outstanding Researcher / Professor - EB-1

A professor or researcher who is internationally recognized as outstanding in a specific academic area may obtain this classification and avoid labor certification.

The outstanding professor and researcher category is a first preference employment-based immigrant visa category.

The following are the basic eligibility requirements for qualification under this category:


1. An offer of employment for a tenured or tenure-track position or a comparable "permanent" research position.


The USCIS defines a "permanent" position as one that is "for a term of indefinite or unlimited duration, and in which the employee will ordinarily have an expectation of continued employment unless there is good cause for termination."

Visiting and employee-in-training appointments and Research Fellows are not considered permanent. However, no proof of indefinite grant funding is required; the department's commitment to the position and the individual for an indefinite period is sufficient.

2. Three years of teaching and/or research experience in the academic field, generally beyond the Ph.D.

3. National and international recognition as being "outstanding" in the academic field. The employee must meet at least two of six criteria set forth in USCIS regulations. Specific documentary requirements of these criteria to establish international recognition are discussed below.

Evidence of qualifications in at least two of the following six criteria as set forth by the USCIS is required:


1. Evidence of receipt of major prizes or awards for outstanding achievement in the academic field.
   
   
   Submit photocopies of prizes or awards. Include an explanation of the reputation or the organization granting the award, the significance of the award, and the criteria used to select the recipient.
   
   
2. Evidence of membership in associations in the academic field which require outstanding achievements of their members.
   
   
   Submit photocopies of membership certificates, letters of nomination, or letters from associations that require outstanding achievement for membership. Include a description of the association's mission and the requirements which must be met for membership, such as by-laws of the organization or a letter of explanation.
   
   
3. Evidence of published material in professional publications written by others about the scholar's work in the academic field.



An explanation of how the work is significant to the field is essential. According to the USCIS Nebraska Service Center, "an unevaluated listing in a subject matter index or footnote, or a reference to the work without evaluation is insufficient." They require published material in international professional journals written by others (not past or present colleagues) about the applicant, which specifically name the applicant. Submit photocopies of cover pages of publications and pages where the employee's name appears, including footnotes, with title and date of publication. Please highlight the employee's name on all pages where it appears.


4. Evidence of participation, either individually or on a panel, as the judge of the work of others in the same or an allied academic field.
   
   
   Submit photocopies of lists of editors, letters requesting review of publications, thank you letters, evidence of supervision of Ph.D. students, etc. Please highlight employee's name where it appears. Explain the criteria for selection as a panelist, reviewer, etc., such as widespread recognition or outstanding achievements in the field.
   
   
5. Evidence of original scientific or scholarly research contributions to the academic field.
   
   
   Submit a complete list of professional presentations, patents, etc. Include date, place, lists of speakers, criteria for selection, photocopies of invitations, conference papers, etc. Please highlight the foreign scholar's name where it appears. Include evidence of the importance of such contributions, as well as the significance of the particular conference or event, to the field. According to USCIS Nebraska Service Center, "evidence that those outside the scholar's circle of colleagues and acquaintances consider the work important is especially valuable."
   
   
6. Evidence of authorship of scholarly books or articles (in scholarly journals with international circulation) in the academic field.
   
   
   Submit a complete list of publications. Submit photocopies of title page and/or first page of publication showing title of article/book, title of journal, date, volume, and authorship. If publications in item 6 also fit into item 5, you may include an explanation to that effect as well. Please highlight the employee's name where it appears as author. It is important to explain the significance to the field of the publications in which they appeared, its circulation, and process for selection of articles.