Do doctors get EB-1?

Yes, some physicians can qualify for an EB-1 Green Card, especially those with "Extraordinary Ability" (EB-1A) or "Outstanding Researcher/Professor" (EB-1B) status, demonstrating world-renowned achievements, major contributions, significant publications, or high salaries, but the criteria are very strict and favor academic researchers over general practitioners, often requiring high-level accomplishments like major awards or extensive media coverage.

Can doctors get EB-1?

The EB-1 immigrant visa has generally been a challenging category for physicians, as the regulatory criteria for those in the sciences prioritize academic research over the practice of medicine. However, this should not deter qualified physicians from applying for an EB-1 visa.

Do doctors get a Green Card easily?

The route is often easier for doctors in high-demand specialties, as there is a shortage of healthcare professionals in the U.S. This shortage allows doctors to apply for a Green Card under specific provisions like the National Interest Waiver (NIW) or the Schedule A category, both of which can expedite the process.

Who qualifies for an EB-1 visa?

The EB-1 visa (First Preference Employment-Based) has three subcategories, each with different requirements: EB-1A for Extraordinary Ability (no job offer needed, prove sustained national/international acclaim), EB-1B for Outstanding Professors/Researchers (job offer for tenured/research position required, prove international recognition with 3+ years experience), and EB-1C for Multinational Managers/Executives (job offer in the U.S. in a managerial role, with one year of foreign employment in a similar role). All require demonstrating work in the field of acclaim and benefiting the U.S., with no labor certification needed, but EB-1A and B require meeting specific criteria like major awards or publications, while C needs an established U.S. employer.
 

Does PhD get EB-1?

To qualify for an EB-1A visa, PhD holders should closely document their research work, achievements, citations, publications, presentations, and conferences attended. Additionally, PhD holders can get recommendation letters from their professors and others who can attest to their distinguished work.

How Doctors Can Get a Green Card Fast in 2025!

Is EB-1 hard to get?

Getting an EB-1 visa is challenging but achievable for truly exceptional individuals, requiring extensive proof of extraordinary ability (EB-1A), outstanding research/teaching (EB-1B), or multinational executive status (EB-1C) through specific documentation, with EB-1A being the toughest due to high standards for documented achievement, though all categories demand rigorous evidence to meet U.S. immigration's high bar for this top-tier green card. 

Who has to pay $100,000 for an H-1B visa?

Practically speaking, this fee only applies to employers who use an H-1B visa petition to bring a foreign national to the United States. Current employers of H-1 workers who wish to continue to employ this worker need not worry about this fee, and can instead file an extension of status petition.

What is the 3 year rule for EB-1?

The "EB-1 3-year rule" refers to the requirement for EB-1C (Multinational Managers & Executives) visas, mandating that the beneficiary must have worked abroad for a related company for at least one year in the three years preceding the U.S. petition or entry, in a managerial or executive role, to qualify for a green card. This "one-in-three" rule ensures the executive has relevant experience with the multinational company before transferring to the U.S. employer. 

Which is faster, EB-1 or EB2?

EB-1 is generally faster than EB-2. That's because EB-1 applicants usually don't need a PERM labor certification and rarely face visa backlogs. EB-2 petitions often involve longer waiting times, especially for applicants from countries with high demand like India or China.

What are common EB-1A denial reasons?

Common EB-1A denial reasons center on failing the final merits determination (even with 3+ criteria met), poorly defined fields, weak evidence for criteria (e.g., minor awards, non-prestigious judging), lack of clarity on the applicant's specific major contributions, and presentation errors like poor organization or generic letters, rather than just technical issues like missing translations. USCIS looks for sustained acclaim, not just meeting criteria boxes, requiring strong evidence of impact and independent adoption.
 

What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Doctors in high-demand surgical and specialized fields like Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery, Radiology, Cardiology, and Gastroenterology often earn over $500,000 annually, with some top earners in Thoracic Surgery or Neurosurgery making significantly more, while even family doctors can reach this level through practice ownership or specialized services.
 

Which visa do doctors get in the USA?

Obtaining a J-1 visa

The most common visa international medical graduates use to participate in U.S. GME programs is the J-1 visa. The Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is authorized by the U.S. Department of State to sponsor foreign national physicians for the J-1 visa.

What is the easiest green card to get?

Employment-based Green Cards

Employment-based visas offer one of the most straightforward and fastest ways to get a U.S. Green Card.

Is EB-1B easier than EB-1A?

EB1A is more flexible since it doesn't require a job offer, but it also has a higher evidentiary standard. EB1B is easier to qualify for if you're an academic with strong research credentials and a U.S. job offer.

What is the golden visa for doctors?

The UAE Golden Visa for doctors in 2025 grants 10-year residency, allowing medical professionals to live and work independently across all Emirates without a national sponsor.

What is the salary requirement for EB-1?

Unlike some visas, the EB-1A doesn't have a specific income threshold. There's no set number to meet. You need to show that your salary is among the highest in your field and location. For example, an engineer in Silicon Valley will have a different salary benchmark than one in a smaller city.

Will EB-1 become current in 2025?

The final action dates for several categories advance in the October 2025 Visa Bulletin: EB-1: All countries remain current in October except for China, which advances by five weeks to December 22, 2022, and India, which remains at February 15, 2022.

How long is the wait for EB-1?

Once your petition is submitted, USCIS will begin processing your EB-1 visa application. As mentioned, that can take as few as 15 business days (if you opt for premium processing) or as long as two-plus years (for regular processing).

Is green card 2026 open?

DV-2026 visa availability refers to the processing of visas for the lottery drawing that occurred in May 2025, with selections available until September 30, 2026, for up to 55,000 visas, though numbers are reduced by other programs like NACARA; applicants must use the official Entrant Status Check tool with their confirmation number to see if they were selected and can proceed with the process, as no emails are sent. Availability is geographically distributed, with no country getting over 7% of visas, and specific countries (like Bangladesh, Brazil, Mexico) were ineligible for DV-2026.
 

Is an EB-1 visa hard to get?

Getting an EB-1 visa is challenging but achievable for truly exceptional individuals, requiring extensive proof of extraordinary ability (EB-1A), outstanding research/teaching (EB-1B), or multinational executive status (EB-1C) through specific documentation, with EB-1A being the toughest due to high standards for documented achievement, though all categories demand rigorous evidence to meet U.S. immigration's high bar for this top-tier green card. 

How much does EB-1 cost?

When you file an EB-1 petition, you have two options: wait it out or speed it up. Regular processing takes 1.5 to 2 years, with government fees ranging from $715 to $1,315, depending on your sponsor. Premium processing cuts that to as little as 15 business days for EB-1A and EB-1B, for an extra $2,805.

Do I need a lawyer for EB-1A?

The USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) does not require that applications for NIW, EB1A, or any immigration petition be submitted through a lawyer. This means applicants have the option to prepare and file their applications on their own without hiring an attorney.

How much did Trump charge for H-1B visa?

Washington sues over Trump administration's unlawful new $100K fee for H-1B visa. Attorney General Nick Brown on Friday joined a coalition of 20 states in suing the Trump administration over its unlawful policy imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions.

Was Sundar Pichai on the H-1B visa?

Google CEO Sundar Pichai noted, drawing from his own experience as a former H-1B visa holder, that immigrants have been instrumental in driving many of the company's major innovations.

Is H-1B still lottery?

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a new regulation that fundamentally reshapes how H-1B cap cases will be selected, replacing the long-standing random lottery with a wage-level-based selection system beginning with the upcoming H-1B registration cycle.