EB-1B Visa: Requirements, Fees & Processing Times

The EB-1B is a pathway to permanent resident status and a Green Card for outstanding professors and researchers. It requires at least three years of teaching or research experience, a qualifying U.S. job offer, and evidence that your work has earned international recognition. The approval rate for EB-1B visas is high, but the bar to qualify is also high. Failing to submit an application with sufficient evidentiary documents could lead to long delays or even denial.

What is the EB-1B visa?

The EB-1B is an employment-based Green Card for outstanding professors and researchers. It’s one of three subcategories of the EB-1 visa—the highest preference category for immigrant work visas—alongside the EB-1A for individuals with extraordinary ability and the EB-1C for multinational executives and managers.

To qualify for the EB-1B, you must have at least three years of experience in teaching or research, and you must have a job offer from a U.S. employer. The position must be tenured, tenure-track, or a comparable permanent research role. Private-sector employers, because they often have large, well-funded research departments, often sponsor EB-1B petitions, provided they employ at least three full-time researchers and have documented research achievements of their own.

Unlike some Green Card categories, the EB-1B doesn’t require PERM labor certification.

EB-1B vs. EB-1A: Key differences

Both the EB-1A and EB-1B are first-preference employment-based Green Cards, but they serve different applicants and have different rules.

The EB-1A is open to individuals with extraordinary ability in science, arts, education, business, or athletics. It doesn’t require a job offer or employer sponsorship.

Applicants must have either one major internationally recognized award, such as a Nobel Prize, or satisfy at least three of 10 evidentiary criteria. In general, the EB-1A criteria are broader than those of the EB-1B, covering fields beyond academia.

The EB-1B is specifically for outstanding professors and researchers. It requires a job offer and employer sponsorship. Applicants must satisfy two of six evidentiary criteria, which are focused on academic and research achievements.

Neither category requires PERM labor certification.

EB-1B eligibility requirements

To qualify for the EB-1B, you must meet three baseline requirements:

• At least three years of experience in teaching or research
• International recognition as an outstanding professor or researcher
• A qualifying job offer from a U.S. employer

The job offer must be for a tenured, tenure-track, or permanent research position, usually at a university or institution of higher learning. Private employers can also sponsor a worker for an EB-1B visa, but the specific department, division, or institute making the offer must employ at least three full-time researchers and have documented accomplishments in an academic field.

Beyond that baseline, you must satisfy at least two of the following six evidentiary criteria:

1. Major prizes or awards for outstanding achievement in your academic field
2. Memberships in professional associations that require outstanding achievement for entry
3. Press coverage of your work in professional publications or major media
4. Judging others’ work individually or on a panel in your field or an allied field
5. Original research contributions of significance to your academic field
6. Scholarly authorship of books or articles in journals with international circulation

What if my evidence doesn’t fit the standard criteria?

If none of these criteria readily apply to your situation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may allow comparable evidence in their place. What counts is evaluated case by case, but the bar is the same as the standard criteria.

An attorney experienced in EB-1B petitions can help identify which criteria your record best supports and how to frame the evidence effectively.

EB-1B approval rates

The EB-1B visa has one of the highest approval rates across all employment-based Green Card categories. According to USCIS data for Fiscal Year 2025, 5,142 out of 5,258 EB-1B petitions were approved. That’s an approval rate of 97.8% over the full year. The rate also held at 97.5% over the most recent three months (Q4 of FY 2025, July to September).

Source: USCIS Immigration and Citizenship Data

For context, the EB-1A, which receives many more applicants, had an approval rate of 66.9% in FY 2025.

EB-1B processing times

Standard processing for an EB-1B Form I-140 petition typically takes up to 19 months. It’s worth checking the USCIS processing times tool directly for the most current estimate.

Premium processing is available as a way to get USCIS to take action on your case (a final decision or RFE) within 15 business days, but it has an additional fee of $2,965.

If you’re applying from outside the U.S., you’ll go through consular processing after your I-140 is approved. Consular processing can add a few weeks or a few months to your timeline, partly based on appointment wait times at your local U.S. embassy or consulate.

If you’re already in the U.S. when you apply, you’ll file Form I-485 to go through adjustment of status. That process typically takes less than a year.

If you have a current priority date at the time you file your I-140, you may be able to file Form I-485 at the same time. Known as concurrent filing, this can shorten the overall time by months. Applicants born in India or China face additional wait times due to visa backlogs in those countries. Check the Visa Bulletin each month for current priority dates.

EB-1B filing fees

Your employer files Form I-140 to sponsor your EB-1B application. The EB-1B filing fee is $715 by mail or $665 online. In addition, most employers must pay an Asylum Program Fee, which varies based on organization size.

If you’re adjusting status within the U.S., the Form I-485 filing fee is $1,440 (by mail) or $1,390 (online). Check the USCIS fee schedule for current figures before filing.

Should I hire an immigration attorney for my EB-1B petition?

The EB-1B has a high approval rate, but that doesn’t mean the process is straightforward. An attorney experienced in EB-1B petitions can help you assess your eligibility, organize your evidence, and prepare a thorough application package.

👉 Request a consultation with Manifest to discuss your immigration goals and get personalized next steps for your situation.

FAQs about EB-1B visas

How difficult is it to get an EB-1B?

The EB-1B had a 97.8% approval rate in FY 2025, but the bar is high. You need to demonstrate international recognition and meet at least two of six evidentiary criteria with strong documentation.

Are there any specific fields or disciplines that are preferred for EB-1B?

No. The EB-1B is open to outstanding professors and researchers across all academic disciplines.

How does USCIS determine if my research qualifies as original?

USCIS looks for research that has made a meaningful contribution to your academic field—new findings, innovative methods, or work that others in your field have built on. Citations, expert letters, and documentation of your work’s impact can help make that case.

Can I use awards from my home country to support my EB-1B application?

Yes, you can use awards from other countries to qualify for an EB-1B visa, as long as the award is significant and relevant to your academic field.

Is it necessary to have a specific number of citations for published research?

There’s no required number of citations for your scholarly authorship. Publishing in a qualifying journal is enough to satisfy that criterion. But a strong citation record can help demonstrate original research contributions and, at the final merits determination, support the case that your work has earned international recognition.