An "Outstanding Researcher or Professor" EB-1B immigrant visa is for aliens who are internationally recognized as outstanding in a particular scientific or scholarly field. Unlike self-petitioned EB-1A cases, EB-1B cases are employer sponsored. This means the petitioning employer must demonstrate that the alien has outstanding ability as a researcher or professor and has a permanent job offer from the employer. The outstanding researcher/professor alien must have the sponsorship of his/her employer throughout the petitioning process. The employer is the petitioner and the outstanding researcher/professor is the beneficiary for the EB-1B process.

There are three (3) main requirements for someone seeking a petition as an "Outstanding Researcher/Professor", including:

• International recognition for being outstanding in a specific academic field;
• At least three years of relevant research or teaching experience: Research or teaching experience obtained while in pursuit of an advanced degree, such as a Ph.D., can be counted toward the three year requirement, but only if the alien has acquired the degree, and if the teaching duties were such that he or she had full responsibility for the class taught or if the research conducted toward the degree has been recognized within the academic field as outstanding. The alien must document his or her work history with letters from current and/or former employers describing work duties and years of employment; and
• A job offer for a permanent research position or a tenured or tenure-track teaching position from the sponsoring employer: Generally, the job offer is given by a university or other similar academic or scientific institution, but it can also be offered by a private employer. If the offer is from a private employer, the employer must have at least three full-time researchers along with accompanying documentation supporting their accomplishments within the field.

Example:

Dr. Jones has been offered a tenure track teaching position as an Associate Professor of Music at an East Coast University. He is internationally recognized as an outstanding professor in the field of music education, and has been teaching and researching in this field for more than three years.

Dr. Jones qualifies as an ”Outstanding Professor” since he is internationally recognized within his field, has at least three years of relevant teaching experience, and has been offered a permanent teaching position.

Example:

Dr. Gillon has been working in the field of biomedicine for more than 10 years. He has been offered a permanent research position as a postdoctoral associate at a medical university. He has made original contributions to the field of cartilage development, and professional articles have been published regarding his work. He is internationally recognized as an outstanding researcher in the field of biomedical science.

Dr. Gillon qualifies as an “Outstanding Researcher” since he has at least three years of relevant research experience, has been offered a permanent research position, and has an outstanding reputation within his field.

A permanent job offer is one where the employee has a reasonable expectation of future employment. As a general rule, all job offers are considered permanent job offers, with the exception of contract positions that specify a particular duration for employment. Part-time jobs are considered permanent job offers provided there is no fixed termination date.

For a sample offer of employment letter, please click here.

As with all employment-based first preference petitions, no Labor Certification is required to obtain an EB-1B immigrant visa. However, the person seeking permanent resident status on the basis of an EB-1B Outstanding Researcher/Professor classification must have the requisite job offer with the sponsoring employer that is filing the petition on the alien's behalf.

To be recognized internationally as an Outstanding Researcher or Professor in one’s field requires at least two (2) of the following types of evidence:

• Receipt of major prizes or awards for outstanding achievement.
• Membership in associations which require outstanding achievements of their members.
• Published material in professional publications written by others about the alien's work (more than merely citing the alien's work).
• Participation as a judge (individually or as a part of a panel) evaluating the work of others in the same field or concentration.
• Original scientific, scholarly, or artistic contributions in the field.
• Evidence of authorship of scholarly books/articles in journals with an international circulation.

(Updated 3/19/2013)

For more information on EB-1B Green Card, please refer to the following links:

• Outstanding Researcher/Professor (EB-1B)
• USCIS Definition of “Permanent Employment” in EB-1B
• Sample Employment Offer Letter for EB-1B
• Requirements for EB-1B
• Extraordinary Ability vs. Outstanding Researcher
• Services that We Provide for EB-1B
• Attorney's Fees
• Frequently Asked Questions about EB-1B

For more information on EB-1 Green Card, please refer to the EB-1 Green Card information page.