Green card

Nonimmigrant visa

Outstanding Professors and Researchers

Members of Internationally Recognized Entertainment Groups

Professors, Researchers, Academic scholars, Senior university faculty members

Band members, Orchestra members, Circus performers, Dance troupes

• Demonstrate international acclaim in an academic field by meeting at least 2 of 6 required evidence criteria, such as receiving prestigious awards, authoring scholarly books or articles, or contributing original scientific or scholarly research to the field.

• You must possess at least 3 years of experience in teaching or research.

• You must secure a tenure-track or comparable research position in the U.S. with an employer that meets specific research capabilities.

• You must be sponsored by a U.S. university, institution of higher education, or a private employer that employs at least 3 full-time researchers and can document achievements in an academic field.

• The U.S. employer must demonstrate the ability to pay your salary.

• The group must be internationally recognized in its field.

• At least 75% of the group’s members must have been with the group for a minimum of one year.

• The purpose of the visit to the U.S. must be to perform as a group.

• Provides complete flexibility to work, live, and study in the U.S.

• No labor certification is required, simplifying the application process.

• Offers the fastest pathway to a green card among EB categories.

• Lower standard (outstanding recognition) compared to EB-1A (extraordinary ability).

• Allows internationally recognized entertainment groups to perform in the U.S.

• Simplifies the process with a single petition for the entire group.

• Adjusts the stay duration based on the group’s engagement schedule.

• Flexible sponsorship options, including sponsorship by an agent—an individual or entity designated to act on your behalf—instead of a single payroll employer. This allows you to work for multiple employers.

• Visas are available for essential support personnel, such as sound and lighting technicians.

• Requires sponsorship and a permanent job offer, limiting flexibility.

• Only available to candidates with high-level job offers in research or academia.

• Rigid requirements apply to both the petitioner and the beneficiary.

• Stay is limited to one-year increments, which is shorter than other visa categories.

• Requires proof of international recognition (not just national), setting a higher eligibility standard compared to some other visas.

• Spouses and dependents do not receive work authorization.

• Renewal requires evidence of ongoing performance engagements.

Required

Required

Permanent residency

Duration of the event, up to 1 year, renewable in 1-year increments

Every 10 years

1-year increments

10-18 months¹

3-6 months

15 business days²

15 business days

Yes

No

¹Applicants from India, China, or Mexico may experience longer wait times.

²Available for only the first stage of the process.

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