Fastest Way to a U.S. Green Card: Understanding EB1A Processing Time for Informed Decisions
If you are currently on an H1B visa, F1 visa, or L1 visa and are looking to obtain a US green card within a reasonable time frame, then the EB1A is the right path for you. Moreover, the EB1A allows you to self-petition your green card application without employer sponsorship and does not require an advanced degree or a higher job title. If you are curious about the EB1A processing time, read the blog to learn more.
EB1A Processing Time
To qualify for the EB1A category, you need to demonstrate your expertise in your field. Moreover, EB1A is the fastest path to permanent residency in the US, when compared to EB2 and EB3. To understand this, Let’s explore the EB1A processing time:
1. Gather EB1A Evidence
First and foremost, it is essential to gather evidence that satisfies a minimum of three EB1A criteria, showcasing your sustained national or international acclaim and establishing you as one of the top experts in your field.
Typically, the process of constructing an EB1A profile involves collecting evidence from past & current work, and future opportunities to showcase your extraordinary ability in your field. This process would take an average of 1.5-2 years.
However, with the Smart Green Card program (SGC), we have streamlined this process. The SGC program addresses the challenges you may encounter on the EB1A path and offers ethical assistance in all aspects of EB1A profile development. As a result, a significant number of SGC VIP members successfully and legitimately construct their EB1A profiles within six months or even less.
2. I-140 Application Timeline
The next step in earning your EB1A green card is to submit Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, to USCIS. Along with this form, include the necessary supporting documents and the evidence documentation you have gathered.
During this stage, USCIS will carefully review your EB1A petition to determine your eligibility for the EB1A category.
The EB1 I-140 processing time varies depending on the USCIS service center where you apply, but on average, it takes more than 8 months.
However, by choosing premium processing, you can receive the outcome of your I-140 application within just 15 days. This means you will promptly receive a decision on whether your I-140 application is approved or denied.
Sometimes, if USCIS needs additional evidence to decide your case, they issue a Request for Evidence (RFE). In such a situation, your premium processing request clock will pause until you submit the response for the RFE. However, you need to submit an RFE response within the timeframe mentioned in the I-140 application.
3.EB1A Processing Time for Adjustment of Status Application
Once your I-140 petition is approved and your priority date becomes available, you can submit your I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence along with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and a travel document to USCIS.
Within 3 months, you will receive your EAD and travel documents, granting you the ability to work freely in the US and travel freely outside the US, respectively.
In total, the EB1A processing time for the I-485 application is approximately 5-8 months.
Upon I-485 approval, you will obtain your EB1A green card.
For individuals outside the US, consular processing is required. The EB1 timeline for consular processing varies depending on the workload of US embassies or consulates.
Comparing Other Green Card Options with EB1A
If you are an H1B visa holder, there are other green card options available besides EB1A. Let’s compare those green card options with EB1A so that you can make the smart choice that fits you.
1.EB2 and EB3: EB2 and EB3 green cards are the most sought-after green card options for H1B visa holders. However, according to a study by the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank:
- Currently, 1.1 million Indians are dealing with green card backlogs, primarily in the EB2 and EB3 categories.
- New green card applicants from India might face a wait of 134 years in the EB2 and EB3 categories.
In contrast, EB1A falls within the EB1 category, where final action dates progress more rapidly than the final action dates for EB2 and EB3. This is evident in the January 2024 visa bulletin.
2. EB1B & EB1C: EB1B is tailored for outstanding researchers or professors, and EB1C is intended for certain multinational executives or managers. Moreover, EB1B and EB1C require employer sponsorship.
Unlike other employment-based green card categories, the EB1A green card category enables you to independently petition for your application, eliminating the need for employer sponsorship. Additionally, the EB1A does not necessitate a labor certification, streamlining the application process by bypassing the time-consuming PERM process.
Conclusion
Choosing the EB1A green card option not only expedites your green card process but also enhances your career reputation. Although the EB1A visa requirements are stringent, you can strategically work to build your EB1A profile to substantiate your case.
Additionally, we hope that this blog has provided clarity on the EB1A processing time, helping you make an informed decision in choosing the fastest green card path.
In the Smart Green Card VIP plan, we assist you in identifying your area of expertise and support you in all possible ethical ways to construct a compelling EB1A profile. That being said, we help you meet at least six EB1A criteria and navigate the final merits determination for EB1A success.
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