Dr. William:

I have a PhD degree in material science, and I am currently employed in a small research company as a senior engineer. I am interested in apply for EB1-Extraordinaey Ability or EB1-Outstanding Researcher Green Card category. What are the major difference between the EB1-Extraordinaey Ability application and the EB1-Outstanding Researcher application?.

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Answer:

The qualification criteria for EB1-Outstanding Researcher (EB1-OR) is some what lower than that for EB1-Extraordinary Ability (EB1-EA). The EB1-Extraordinary Ability can be a self-petitioned case, which means that you can apply for EB1-EA by yourself, without your employer's sponsorship, or even without their signature on the petition form or cover letter.

But the EB1-Outstanding Researcher petition must be employer sponsored, which means that you can prepare all documents by yourself without hiring a lawyer or your employer's help, but your employer must sign the petition form and the petition cover letter, and you should have a 'permanent' job offer from your current employer to apply for EB1-Outstanding Researcher. Also, to establish that an alien applicant is an Outstanding Researcher, the company must has documented accomplishments, and employs at least three full-time researchers.