EB-1A for Founders

USCIS uses a two-step analysis. First, you must meet at least three of ten criteria. Second, USCIS asks whether the totality of evidence shows you at the top of your field. Founders who try to meet three criteria thinly tend to fail the final-merits review, so we aim for four or five strong criteria with a clear narrative.

MEET AT LEAST 3 OF 10, PLUS FINAL MERITS REVIEW

Awards
Forbes 30 Under 30, TechCrunch Disrupt finalist, named industry awards, prestigious accelerator demo-day awards, or government innovation grants.

Membership in selective organizations
Y Combinator, Techstars, a16z accelerator, or other highly selective programs. Invited fellow positions at think tanks or industry groups can also fit here.

Published material about you
Funding announcements in tier-1 outlets like TechCrunch, Forbes, Bloomberg, or The Information. Substantive founder profile pieces and reputable podcast appearances also count.

Judging the work of others
Advisor roles at other startups, accelerator partner or mentor roles, pitch competition judging, or board member at a non-profit related to your field.

Original contributions of major significance
Your company and product, supported by funding, customers, partnerships, patents, or a novel business model. The bar is real impact, documented carefully.

Critical role at a distinguished organization
Founder, CEO, or CTO of a venture-backed company with name-brand investors, named partnerships, or a significant customer base.

High salary
Founder cash compensation is often low, but equity value at recent fundraise valuation, plus offer letters and market comps, can demonstrate market value.

Commercial success
Revenue, contracts, customers, exits, or acquisitions tied to your work. The bar is documented success at scale.

What strong evidence looks like for founders

• A funding history with named lead investors, dollar amounts, and press confirmations.

• Customer letters or partnership announcements naming specific U.S. enterprises.

• Press coverage in tier-1 outlets with author names and dates.

• Advisor agreements with other startups, plus pitch-competition judging records.

• Patent filings and product traction data.

• Recommender letters from investors, advisors, and independent field experts.