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United StatesPermanent residenceLast checked October 17, 2026

EB-1 Employment-Based First Preference

EB-1A Extraordinary Ability, EB-1B Outstanding Professors and Researchers, EB-1C Multinational Managers and Executives

EB-1 is the first employment-based green card category. EB-1A is for people with extraordinary ability shown by sustained national or international acclaim, and they can petition for themselves without a job offer. EB-1B is for internationally recognised professors and researchers with a qualifying US job offer. EB-1C is for managers and executives transferred by a multinational employer. None of the three needs a Department of Labor labor certification. Since 2025 the Gold Card program also places approved applicants in EB-1 or EB-2 for a large gift and fee.

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3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Entry restrictions apply to 40 passports for United States

The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.

  • Afghanistan
  • Angola
  • Antigua & Barbuda
  • Benin
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Chad
  • Côte d’Ivoire
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Laos
  • Libya
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Myanmar (Burma)
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Palestinian Territories
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Turkmenistan
  • Venezuela
  • Yemen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Source: Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (Federal Register, 10 Jun 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States (Federal Register, 19 Dec 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 full text (GovInfo)Source: U.S. Department of State - Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United StatesSource: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY2027 (Federal Register, 2 Oct 2026) - cites Proclamation 10998 as in force

Life in United States

Money

3

Currency

US Dollar

USD

US Dollar

Cost of living

100

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

10–37%

Income tax (national)

social security 7.65%

Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.8

#22 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

People at the very top of their field (EB-1A), leading academics and researchers with a permanent US research or teaching offer (EB-1B), and senior managers or executives of multinational companies moving to a related US entity (EB-1C).

Eligibility

  • Sustained acclaimEB-1A

    The person must have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, shown by sustained national or international acclaim, and must be coming to keep working in that field.

  • 3 of 10 criteria or a major awardEB-1A

    Show a one-time major international achievement, or evidence of at least 3 of the 10 listed criteria.

    • Lesser prizes
    • Selective memberships; published material about you
    • Judging others' work; original contributions of major significance
    • Scholarly articles; exhibitions; leading or critical role in distinguished organisations
    • High salary; commercial success in the performing arts
    Official wording

    Evidence of a one-time major internationally recognised achievement, or at least 3 of 10 criteria: lesser prizes; selective memberships; published material about the person; judging others' work; original contributions of major significance; scholarly articles; exhibitions; a leading or critical role in distinguished organisations; high salary; or commercial success in the performing arts.

  • Self-petition allowedEB-1A

    No job offer or labor certification is needed, and the person may file Form I-140 for themselves.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementInternational recognition and 3 years' experience
  • Document checklistForm I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers
  • FeesForm I-140 filing fee (paper)

The full requirements are for members

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  • 7 more requirements
  • 11 documents
  • 7 fees
  • 7 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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