Document Checklist for Extraordinary Visas
This checklist will help you quickly assess whether you may qualify for:
O-1A visa (Extraordinary Ability)
EB-1A green card (Extraordinary Ability)
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)
Review all sections below and recommended letters
Gather all relevant documentation before your consultation.
O-1A & EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Checklist
To qualify, you typically need to meet at least 3 of the criteria below.
Awards & Recognition
- Venture capital funding (can be treated as industry recognition)
- Hackathon or competition wins
- Grants or fellowships in STEM or business
- Recognition like Forbes 30 Under 30
Membership in Prestigious Organizations
- Acceptance into top accelerators (Y Combinator, Techstars, 500 Global)
- Memberships requiring peer-reviewed selection
- Organization bylaws showing selective admission criteria
Media Coverage
- Articles in major publications (TechCrunch, Wired, WSJ, etc.)
- Coverage specifically about you or your work
- Publication reach metrics (traffic, circulation)
Judging or Reviewing Work
- Judging hackathons or competitions
- Peer review for journals or conferences
- Roles on investment or accelerator selection committees
Original Contributions of Major Significance
- Patents with industry use or citations
- Measurable business impact (revenue, growth, adoption)
- Open-source contributions with strong usage (GitHub stars, forks)
Authorship & Thought Leadership
- Articles in professional or trade publications
- Conference presentations or white papers
- Industry speaking engagements
Critical Role in Distinguished Organizations
- Roles such as Founder, CTO, or VP Engineering
- Proof the company is well-known (unicorn, public company, industry leader)
High Salary or Compensation
- Tax documents or pay records
- Equity or stock with valuation context
- Compensation compared to industry benchmarks
EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) Checklist
The EB-2 NIW allows you to apply without a job offer if your work benefits the United States.
1.
Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability
- Master’s degree or higher (STEM or business)
- Bachelor’s + 5 years progressive experience
- Or 10+ years experience, licenses, or professional memberships
2.
Your Proposed Endeavor
- Founders: Pitch deck or business plan
- Professionals: Career plan or personal statement
3.
National Importance
- Work in critical fields (AI, biotech, clean energy, etc.)
- Job creation in the US
- Contributions to national security, healthcare, or economy
4.
Ability to Execute
- Strong resume or CV
- Funding (VC, grants, term sheets)
- Market validation (LOIs, contracts, partnerships)
- Intellectual property (patents, proprietary tech)
Recommendation Letters (All Visa Categories)
Strong cases require 4 to 6 expert recommendation letters.
Ideal recommenders:
- C-level executives
- Startup founders
- Venture capitalists or investors
- Professors or industry experts
These letters must clearly explain with verifiable evidence:
- Your work in technical detail
- Your impact on the field
- Why your work matters
Start Preparing Your Case
If you recognize yourself in several of these categories, you may be a strong candidate for:
EB-1A green card
EB-2 NIW
Gather your documents and share them with our team to begin your evaluation.
Book a Consultation →Disclaimer
This checklist is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances and current adjudication standards.
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