EB-1B Outstanding Researcher or Professor Visa
People who are internationally recognized as outstanding scientific researches or renowned pedagogues may qualify for the “Outstanding Researcher or Professor” EB-1B immigrant visa. Unlike self-petitioned EB-1A applications, EB-1B applications are employer sponsored. This means the petitioning employer must demonstrate that the applicant has outstanding ability as a researcher or professor and has a permanent job offer from the employer (usually a college or university). The outstanding researcher/professor 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. Buda Law Group has successfully submitted dozens of EB-1B applications for applicants with a variety of backgrounds in research and academia. If you have a successful reputation as a researcher or professor, and have a job offer from a U.S. employer, give us a call today so our experienced team can guide you through the 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 applicant 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 applicant 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.
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 applicant’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 applicant’s work (more than merely citing the applicant’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.
If you have any questions, the team here at Buda Law Group will gladly answer them. Please reach out to us to find out more or get a competitive quote on our legal immigration services.
Thank You,
John B. Buda, Esq. www.budalawgroup.net office: 310-452-1872 john.buda@budalawgroup.net 3301 Ocean Park Blvd. Suite 205 Santa Monica, CA 90405
