Houston First Preference Visa Lawyer
Many people come to America looking to work and make a difference. Some of these immigrants have great talents, skills, and intelligence. They may be corporate executives, professors, or maybe even accomplished athletes.
These people may be eligible for a first preference visa if they are a noncitizen of extraordinary ability, are an outstanding professor or researcher, or are a certain multinational executive or manager. This first preference visa, also known as an EB-1 visa, is highly sought after because it provides several benefits, including exemption from the labor certification process and the potential for faster processing times compared to other visas.
However, there are a lot of criteria that need to be met. If you are interested in applying for this type of visa, contact a Houston first preference visa lawyer from BBA Immigration to get the advice you need.
Who Qualifies?
The EB-1 visa is designed for priority workers, including:
- Persons of extraordinary ability. This category includes individuals with extraordinary abilities in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. To qualify, you must provide extensive documentation of your achievements and recognition in your field.
- Outstanding professors and researchers. This category is for individuals who are recognized internationally for their outstanding academic achievements. They must have a minimum of three years of teaching or research experience and an offer of employment from a U.S. university or research institution.
- Multinational managers or executives. This category is for executives and managers who have been employed for at least one of the preceding three years by the overseas affiliate, parent, subsidiary, or branch of the U.S. employer. They must be coming to the U.S. to continue working for the same employer in a managerial or executive capacity.
No offer of employment or labor certification is required for any of these categories of workers.
Criteria
The criteria for an EB-1 visa are as follows:
- Persons of extraordinary ability. You must meet at least three criteria or provide evidence of a one-time achievement (such as an Oscar or Olympic medal). There must also be evidence showing that you will be continuing to work in the area of your expertise. No offer of employment is required.
- Outstanding professors and researchers. You must meet at least two criteria and provide an offer of employment from the prospective U.S. employer. The employer must show documented accomplishments and that it employs at least three full-time researchers.
- Multinational managers or executives. Your petitioning employer must be a U.S. employer and intend to employ you in a managerial or executive capacity. The petitioner must have been doing business in the U.S. for at least one year. The entity must have a relationship to the entity that employed you abroad in the same capacity.
Contact BBA Immigration Today
There are various categories of preference when it comes to visas. Do you qualify? We’ll help you understand the requirements. BBA Immigration can assist you with your visa application and give you the advice you need. Schedule a consultation with a Houston first preference visa lawyer today by filling out the online form or calling (281) 503-1455.
