EB-1A vs EB-1B outstanding researcher or professor
EB-1A and EB-1B are both first preference. They are not the same filing. EB-1A is extraordinary ability and can be a self-petition. EB-1B is outstanding professor or researcher and needs a qualifying U.S. employer to file.
The short split
EB-1A: you. Three of ten criteria or a true one-time major award, then final merits showing sustained national or international acclaim. No job offer required.
EB-1B: a university or a qualifying private employer files for an outstanding professor or researcher. The usual showing is international recognition in the academic field, at least three years of experience, and a permanent research or teaching role. You generally cannot self-petition EB-1B.
Evidence overlap, different test
Publications, citations, judging, and original research can show up in both files. EB-1B is built around academic employment. EB-1A still has to answer “small group at the top of the field,” including for people who are not professors.
- A strong publication record can help EB-1B and still be thin for EB-1A final merits.
- A founder or staff engineer with independent use of a method may have an EB-1A story and no EB-1B employer.
- If your university will sponsor outstanding researcher, that is a counsel conversation. This tool does not score EB-1B prongs.
What we score
Only EB-1A. If the free check comes back thin and you have a qualifying academic employer, ask a lawyer about EB-1B. Do not treat this site’s score as an outstanding-researcher petition.
Open the full EB-1A vs NIW vs O-1 table
This is not a law firm and does not file petitions. USCIS decides each case on its own record.