The 1st preference of employment-based immigration is for you, if you have an extraordinary ability, are an outstanding professor or researcher, or are a multinational executive or manager. Obtaining LC through PERM is not required.
Extraordinary Ability
1. Requirements: You must have an extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, through sustained national or international acclaim. Your achievements must be recognized in your field through extensive documentation. A job offer is not required.
2. How to apply: You can petition for yourself by filing a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. Obtaining LC through PERM is not required. Please see "Overview / PERM (LC)".
3. Evidence needed: You must meet 3 of 10 criteria below, or provide evidence of a one-time achievement (i.e., Pulitzer, Oscar, Olympic Medal).
----- Evidence of receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence.
----- Evidence of your membership in associations in the field which demand outstanding achievement of their members.
----- Evidence of published material about you in professional or major trade publications or other major media.
----- Evidence that you have been asked to judge the work of others, either individually or on a panel.
----- Evidence of your original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field.
----- Evidence of your authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media.
----- Evidence that your work has been displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases.
----- Evidence of your performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations.
----- Evidence that you command a high salary or other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field.
----- Evidence of your commercial successes in the performing arts.
Outstanding Professor/Researcher
1. Requirements:
----- You must demonstrate international recognition for your outstanding achievements in a particular academic field.
----- You must have at least 3 years of experience in teaching or research in that academic area.
----- You must be entering the U.S. in order to pursue tenure or tenure track teaching or comparable research position at a university or other institution of higher education.
2. How to apply: Your employer must file a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. Obtaining LC through PERM is not required. Please see "Overview / PERM (LC)".
3. Evidence needed: You must include documentation of at least 2 of 6 criteria listed below, and a job offer from your prospective U.S. employer.
----- Evidence of receipt of major prizes or awards for outstanding achievement.
----- Evidence of membership in associations that require their members to demonstrate outstanding achievement.
----- Evidence of published material in professional publications written by others about your work in the academic field.
----- Evidence of participation, either on a panel or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same or allied academic field.
----- Evidence of original scientific or scholarly research contributions in the field.
----- Evidence of authorship of scholarly books or articles (in scholarly journals with international circulation) in the field.
Multinational Executive/Manager
1. Requirements:
----- You must have been employed outside the U.S. in the 3 years preceding the petition for at least 1 year by a firm/corporation.
----- You must be coming to the U.S. to continue service to that firm/organization.
----- Your employment must have been outside the U.S. in a managerial or executive capacity and with the same employer, an affiliate, or a subsidiary of the employer.
2. How to apply: Your employer must file a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. Obtaining LC through PERM is not required. Please see "Overview / PERM (LC)".
3. Evidence needed:
----- Your employer must be a U.S. employer.
----- Your employer must have been doing business for at least 1 year, as an affiliate, a subsidiary, or as the same corporation or other legal entity that employed you outside the U.S.