For physicians

EB-1A for physicians

Academic physicians, principal investigators, department chairs, and physician-scientists with a real research record are often closer to EB-1A than they realize. The bar is high, but the priority dates are shorter than EB-2 — even for India and China. At Manifest Law, we help physicians translate publications, grant work, named program leadership, and clinical innovation into EB-1A petitions.

  • Flat fees with payment plans, no hourly surprises
  • Ex-USCIS officer review available on every plan as an add-on
  • Live case tracking through the Manifest portal
  • Built for academic and research physicians
A physician holding a tablet in a bright hospital atrium

*Representative image — not actual Manifest lawyer or client

/Find your path

What the EB-1A is, and why physicians use it

EB-1A is the Green Card for people with extraordinary ability. For physicians, the strongest profiles are usually academic physicians with peer-reviewed publications, citations, grant work, and named program leadership.

Why physicians choose the EB-1A

I.

You file for yourself.

You petition on your own behalf, without an employer’s involvement.

II.

Priority dates are shorter than EB-2.

EB-1 is current or near-current for most countries, and materially shorter than EB-2 even for India and China.

II.

Premium processing.

For a fee, you can receive a decision in your I-140 filing within 15 business days.

A smiling physician holding a tablet in a hospital corridor

/Do you qualify

Do you qualify for the EB-1A as a physician?

USCIS uses a two-step analysis. First, you must meet at least three of ten criteria. Second, USCIS conducts a final-merits review to determine whether the totality of your evidence shows you are at the top of your field.

Awards

Named teaching or research awards, NIH K-series career awards, specialty society awards, or institutional best-of recognitions tied to research or clinical work.

Membership in selective organizations

Selective fellowships, specialty society memberships, or other associations that are tied to demonstrated achievement in your field.

Published material about you

Coverage in mainstream press (e.g., major national outlets), specialty press (e.g., prominent medical journal features or news pieces), or your institution’s research press releases.

Judging the work of others

Peer review for major medical journals, NIH or NSF study section service, conference abstract review, dissertation committee membership, or fellowship interview panels.

Original contributions of major significance

Research that other clinicians actually use — papers with strong citations, novel clinical protocols adopted at other institutions, patents on devices or methods, or guidelines you authored.

Authorship of scholarly articles

Peer-reviewed publications in PubMed-indexed journals, with citation counts and journal impact factors documented.

Critical role at a distinguished organization

Department chair, program director, division chief, or principal investigator role at a major academic medical center or NIH-funded program.

High salary

Compensation in the top range for your specialty and academic rank, backed by AAMC data or MGMA benchmarks.

Meet our experienced attorneys

Our immigration lawyers are more than credentialed. They are personally committed to your outcome. Only 1% of attorney applicants are selected to work with Manifest, and they bring the care, insight, and precision needed to craft complex cases at the highest level.

Jeff Joseph

Jeff Joseph

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

30+ Years of Experience
Gregory Boult

Gregory Boult

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

25+ Years of Experience5,000+ Cases Filed*
Rami Lee

Rami Lee

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

18+ Years of Experience5,000+ Cases Filed*
Evan J. Law

Evan J. Law

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

17+ Years of Experience1,300+ Cases Filed*
Ana Senior

Ana Senior

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

14+ Years of Experience1,200+ Cases Filed*
Lahaina Araneta McBeth

Lahaina Araneta McBeth

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

12+ Years of Experience4,800+ Cases Filed*
Avalon L. Paul

Avalon L. Paul

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

10+ Years of Experience1,700+ Cases Filed*
Ana Gabriela Urizar

Ana Gabriela Urizar

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

10+ Years of Experience15,000+ Cases Filed*
Amanda Mitchell

Amanda Mitchell

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

9+ Years of Experience2,500+ Cases Filed*
Nicole Gunara

Nicole Gunara

PRINC. IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

7+ Years of Experience1,700+ Cases Filed*
Henry Lindpere

Henry Lindpere

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

5+ Years of Experience700+ Cases Filed*
Bruna Maciel Soledade

Bruna Maciel Soledade

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

5+ Years of Experience1,150+ Cases Filed*

*Representative image - not actual Manifest lawyer or client

/Our approach

Why clients trust Manifest’s immigration lawyers

Here is what our clients get on every Manifest case.

Manifest attorneys who previously adjudicated cases at USCIS
01

Ex-USCIS officer review

Available as an add-on for Silver and Gold plans, and automatically included in the Platinum plan. An attorney with USCIS adjudication experience reviews your petition before it leaves our office.

An immigration petition being prepared for filing
02

Flat fees, no surprises

One price, quoted upfront on your strategy call. We do not bill by the hour, and payment plans are available.

The Manifest client portal showing case progress
03

Live case tracking

The Manifest portal shows every status update, every document, and your next step in real time.

A physician reviewing information on a tablet
04

Built for physicians

We have represented internal medicine, family medicine, psychiatry, pediatrics, and specialty physicians working in HPSAs across the country.

A client reviewing a Manifest service agreement
05

Money-back guarantee

If conditions are met and your visa is not approved, you get a refund of all or part of your legal fees.

Manifest attorneys who previously adjudicated cases at USCIS
01

Ex-USCIS officer review

Available as an add-on for Silver and Gold plans, and automatically included in the Platinum plan. An attorney with USCIS adjudication experience reviews your petition before it leaves our office.

An immigration petition being prepared for filing
02

Flat fees, no surprises

One price, quoted upfront on your strategy call. We do not bill by the hour, and payment plans are available.

The Manifest client portal showing case progress
03

Live case tracking

The Manifest portal shows every status update, every document, and your next step in real time.

A physician reviewing information on a tablet
04

Built for physicians

We have represented internal medicine, family medicine, psychiatry, pediatrics, and specialty physicians working in HPSAs across the country.

A client reviewing a Manifest service agreement
05

Money-back guarantee

If conditions are met and your visa is not approved, you get a refund of all or part of your legal fees.

Manifest attorneys who previously adjudicated cases at USCIS
01

Ex-USCIS officer review

Available as an add-on for Silver and Gold plans, and automatically included in the Platinum plan. An attorney with USCIS adjudication experience reviews your petition before it leaves our office.

An immigration petition being prepared for filing
02

Flat fees, no surprises

One price, quoted upfront on your strategy call. We do not bill by the hour, and payment plans are available.

The Manifest client portal showing case progress
03

Live case tracking

The Manifest portal shows every status update, every document, and your next step in real time.

A physician reviewing information on a tablet
04

Built for physicians

We have represented internal medicine, family medicine, psychiatry, pediatrics, and specialty physicians working in HPSAs across the country.

A client reviewing a Manifest service agreement
05

Money-back guarantee

If conditions are met and your visa is not approved, you get a refund of all or part of your legal fees.

*Representative image - not actual Manifest lawyer or client

/Success stories

Helping physicians build their future in the U.S.

From EB-1A self-petitions to academic and clinical research approvals, we’ve helped physicians across specialties navigate extraordinary-ability Green Card pathways with confidence.

*Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes.

/Testimonials

What our clients say

Discover how Manifest has helped clients navigate the visa process and read their success stories.

Very professional, Simon and Dan responded to my clarifications with satisfaction. prepared my case with detailed documentation and got my approval from USCIS. Highly recommended for individuals looking for GC process under employment-based category

Gurinder Singh
Gurinder Singh

I have worked with Dan and Simon directly, and my experience has been like no other. It feels like I'm talking with actual people who care about my case. Any questions I had, they were happy to assist me with in a very short time and make sure everything was clear before moving on to the next thing. I will definitely be working with them again in the future.

Sandra Rocha
Sandra Rocha

I had an amazing experience with Manifest Law from the first intake interview, through a fast and professional process of working on the file, to a straightforward approval of my case. Catlea Bobis is a superstar attorney, and I recommend everyone considering trusting your case to professional support like I had with Catlea and the entire team at Manifest Law.

Irina Batukhtina
Irina Batukhtina

*Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes.

A stethoscope resting on a U.S. flag

*Representative image - not actual Manifest lawyer or client

/FAQs

Still have questions about the EB-1A as a physician?

How is EB-1A different from the Physician NIW?

The Physician NIW requires five years of underserved-area service. EB-1A does not, but the bar is higher. Most academic physicians fit EB-1A better than the Physician NIW.

Can I self-petition?

Yes. You file the I-140 yourself, without an employer’s involvement.

Do I need NIH funding to qualify?

NIH funding is not required. Equivalent department-level or foundation grants can also help.

Can my spouse work?

Once your priority date is current and you file I-485, your spouse can file alongside you and receive an EAD. They can work for any employer while the case is pending.

What happens if I get an RFE?

We respond with targeted evidence and tighter final-merits framing. Gold, Platinum, and Diamond plans include the RFE response.

Can I switch from H-1B or J-1 to EB-1A?

Filing the I-140 does not affect your nonimmigrant status. When your priority date is current, you can file I-485. For J-1 holders, the two-year home residency requirement must be resolved before an adjustment of status can be pursued.

Pay on Approval availability and payment terms are subject to the terms of the selected service plan and engagement agreement.

Manifest architectural detail

/LET'S BEGIN

Let's Build a Case For
Your Future.

We help you figure it out. Then we work tirelessly to achieve your immigration goals.