A growing number of highly skilled professionals are using the EB1 visa to fast-track U.S. permanent residency. Kulen Law Firm reports increased demand as many discover they meet eligibility criteria, offering a faster, employer-independent alternative to traditional employment-based green cards.

New York, NY, United States, July 13, 2025 -- As global demand intensifies for highly skilled workers, a growing number of scientists, executives, researchers, and artists are accelerating their path to U.S. permanent residency through the EB1 visa — one of the most competitive immigration channels currently available. Legal experts say that the EB1 category is now seeing a marked uptick in interest, particularly among professionals who had previously assumed they were ineligible.

According to recent observations by Kulen Law Firm, a New York-based immigration law practice, many top-tier professionals are discovering that their existing accomplishments may already meet the threshold required for EB1 eligibility — especially those with sustained media coverage, academic awards, industry innovation, or executive-level leadership experience.

“People are beginning to realize that the EB1 visa is not just for Nobel laureates or celebrities,” said Remzi Güvenç Kulen, founding attorney of Kulen Law. “In many cases, professionals with years of recognized work in their field are closer to qualifying than they think.”

An Increasingly Viable Pathway

The EB1 visa, formally known as the Employment-Based First Preference category, offers a direct route to permanent residency in the United States for individuals of extraordinary ability, outstanding academics, or multinational managers and executives. Unlike other employment-based visa options, EB1 does not require labor certification — a time-consuming process intended to test the domestic labor market — and it often allows applicants to self-petition.

The three subcategories of EB1 include:

• EB1-A: For individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
  
  
• EB1-B: For outstanding professors and researchers.
  
  
• EB1-C: For multinational executives and managers relocating to a U.S.-based role.
  
  

The visa has long been considered a "fast-track" option due to its expedited processing times. Many successful applicants receive green card approvals within 8 to 12 months.

Shifting Awareness and Increased Demand

Legal professionals and immigration advocates point to a shift in how foreign-born professionals approach their residency plans. As visa backlogs in categories like EB2 and EB3 continue to delay green card access for skilled workers, EB1 is increasingly viewed as a more attainable — and quicker — alternative.

This shift is particularly relevant for those currently in the U.S. under temporary visas such as H1B or O1, where employer dependency and uncertain renewals add to long-term planning challenges.

“Professionals on temporary visas are exploring options that give them more autonomy and predictability,” Kulen said. “The EB1 visa offers both — and many are surprised to learn they qualify under existing guidelines.”

Evaluating Eligibility: Not Just for the Elite

To qualify for the EB1-A category, applicants must meet at least three out of ten criteria set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or demonstrate comparable evidence. These criteria include published work, significant contributions to the field, original authorship, prestigious awards, and leading roles in distinguished organizations.

In practice, this could apply to a wide range of professionals — from startup founders and medical researchers to documentary filmmakers and fintech executives — provided they can document the sustained national or international impact of their work.

Kulen notes that while the eligibility bar is high, it is not insurmountable. “The key is not just having impressive achievements, but presenting them within a legal framework that meets adjudication standards,” he said.

Changing Global Mobility Trends

The increased interest in the EB1 visa comes amid broader global mobility trends. With the pandemic-era travel restrictions now largely lifted, and remote work reshaping professional boundaries, more individuals are seeking permanent legal footholds in countries like the U.S. for both personal and professional stability.

U.S. immigration policy, though often politically contentious, continues to prioritize applicants who can contribute to the country’s innovation and economic growth. The EB1 visa category aligns closely with these priorities, offering a relatively direct path for individuals with the qualifications to match.

Legal analysts say this alignment may help protect the EB1 program from the policy volatility that has affected other visa categories.

Legal Support Critical to Success Rates

Despite the promise of the EB1 route, immigration experts caution that it remains a highly scrutinized category. Rejections are common when documentation is incomplete or fails to convincingly demonstrate eligibility.

As a result, many applicants are turning to specialized immigration law firms to prepare their petitions. Firms like Kulen Law, which has been active in immigration practice since 2009, report a growing share of their caseload now involves EB1 applications.

The firm provides legal evaluations, documentation strategy, and petition filing for EB1-A, EB1-B, and EB1-C cases. While outcomes vary based on individual merit, legal support has proven to increase the clarity and structure of applications — particularly in cases where eligibility is borderline or requires interpretation of nontraditional evidence.

Looking Ahead

With the U.S. economy increasingly reliant on global expertise — particularly in high-demand sectors like biotech, AI, and clean energy — immigration pathways like the EB1 are likely to remain essential tools for attracting and retaining global talent.

For professionals considering the EB1 route, the best first step, according to legal experts, is an honest eligibility assessment and early documentation planning.

“Strong candidates miss out every year simply because they didn’t explore the option,” said Kulen. “The EB1 category is narrow, but not exclusive. And in today’s landscape, being proactive makes all the difference.”

About Kulen Law Firm
Founded in 2009, Kulen Law is a New York-based immigration and business law firm representing clients across the United States and internationally. The firm advises individuals and corporations on a range of immigration pathways, with a growing focus on extraordinary ability, executive, and investment-based visa categories.

For more information on the eb1 visa and application strategies, visit their official EB1 visa guide.

Contact Info:
Name: Remzi G. Kulen
Email: Send Email
Organization: Kulen Law Firm
Address: 363 Seventh Avenue, Suite 400 New York, NY 10001
Phone: +1-212-904-1506
Website: https://www.kulenlawfirm.com/guide/eb1-visa

Release ID: 89164599

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