Outstanding Researcher & Professor Petitions

The EB1 Outstanding Researcher or Outstanding Professor (EB1B or EB1-OR) immigration category is reserved for those considered outstanding in their specific field and who have obtained international recognition. Only tenured/tenure track professors or permanent researchers may use this category, and an alien applicant must have three years of experience. Individuals may not file an Outstanding Researcher or Professor petition on their own behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Requirements for an Outstanding Researcher and Professor Petition?

University professors or researchers and researchers in a private organization may apply for EB1B Outstanding Researchers/Professors if the following legal requirements are met.

• The person receives an offer of employment from a prospective United States employer. The offer of employment shall be in the form of a letter from:
  1. A United States university or institution of higher learning offering the alien a tenured or tenure-track teaching position in the alien’s academic field;
  2. A United States university or institution of higher learning offering the alien a permanent research position in the alien’s academic field; or
  3. A department, division, or institute of a private employer offering the alien a permanent research position in the alien’s academic field. The department, division, or institute must demonstrate that it employs at least three persons in fulltime research positions, and that it has achieved documented accomplishments in an academic field.
• Evidence that the alien has at least three years of experience in teaching and/or research in the academic field. Experience in teaching or research while working on an advanced degree will only be acceptable if the alien has acquired the degree.
• Evidence that the professor or researcher is recognized internationally as outstanding in the academic field specified in the petition.