What the criteria actually require, what evidence USCIS credits, and where most filings go wrong. Browse by visa type or by your situation.
Science, business, education, athletics
Sustained acclaim, demonstrated by 3 of 8 evidentiary criteria. Most filings rest on awards, peer review, original contributions, salary, and press.
Arts, motion pictures, television
Distinction in the arts (3 of 6 criteria), or extraordinary achievement in motion picture / TV (3 of 6 + lead roles).
Self-petition, no labor cert, no employer required
Sustained national or international acclaim, demonstrated by 3 of 10 criteria — plus a final-merits determination that the applicant is at the top of their field.
Self-petition, advanced degree or exceptional ability
The three-prong Dhanasar test: substantial merit and national importance · well-positioned to advance the endeavor · waiver of labor cert benefits the US.
The default work visa, subject to annual lottery
A specialty occupation (requires a specific bachelor's-level degree), the applicant's qualification for it, and a certified LCA.
Manager / executive (L-1A) or specialized knowledge (L-1B)
One year of qualifying employment at a related foreign entity in the prior three years, transferring to a US office in the same managerial or specialized-knowledge role.
For academic and industry researchers
International recognition for outstanding achievement in a specific academic field. 2 of 6 criteria, plus a permanent research position.
Canadian and Mexican citizens only
Treaty-based work authorization in one of the listed USMCA professional occupations, with the degree credentials each occupation requires.
What every winning filing contains, regardless of visa type. Skip any of these and USCIS will notice.
Properly completed USCIS forms (I-129, I-140, G-28 where applicable) with consistent dates and identifiers across every line.
A structured argument tying the applicant's facts to each statutory criterion, with cross-references to exhibits.
Tabbed, indexed supporting documents — degrees, awards, publications, contracts, media — each mapped to a specific criterion.
Specific, signed letters from credible experts in the field, addressing the applicant's particular contributions — not generic endorsements.
The roadmap. A clear summary of the petition, the legal standard, and where each piece of evidence lands.
Correct fee amounts (they change). Premium processing if elected. Wrong fees = rejection without review.
The free AI screener analyzes all major visa types simultaneously and outputs candidate pathways with evidence gap analysis.