Stephen M. Perlitsh P.C.

49 West 45th Street, Floor 6

New York, NY   10036

Phone: (212) 840-3878

Fax:  (917) 510-0872

Email: stephen@perlitsh.com

 

Employment First Preference

 

The first employment-based preference category is available to individuals of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.  This memo will be geared solely to achievement in the sciences.  Different, but sometimes overlapping rules, apply to the other disciplines.

 

In order to qualify for Employment First Preference, aliens of extraordinary ability in the sciences must establish that they are one of a small percentage of people  who have risen to the top of their field. The alien must establish sustained national or international acclaim and recognition for achievements in his or her field of expertise and must be seeking to enter the United States to continue work in the area of extraordinary ability.

                       

Establishment of sustained national or international acclaim and recognition for achievement in the field of expertise can be established by providing evidence of receipt of a major internationally recognized award such as the Nobel Prize or at least three of the following:

 


1.                                                                  Documentation of receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized awards for excellence in the field of endeavor.

 

2.                                                                  Documentation of membership in associations in the field of endeavor which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts in their disciplines or fields.

 

3.                                                                  Published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about the alien, relating to the alien’s work in the field for which classification is sought, which shall include the title, date and author of such published material, and any necessary translation.

 

4.                                                                  Evidence of participation on a panel or individually as a judge of the works of others in the same or an allied specialization.

 

5.                                                                  Evidence of original scientific contributions of major significance in the field of endeavor.

 

6.                                                                  Evidence of authorship of scholarly articles in the field in professional journals or other major media.


 

 


 

1.                  Evidence of having commanded a high salary or other significantly   high remuneration for services in relation to others.

 

2.                                                                  Employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations  and establishments that have a distinguished reputation.

 

3.                                                                  Comparable  evidence if the above criteria do not readily apply to the alien’s case.

 

4.                  Evidence of the display of the alien’s work in the field at showcases in more than one country.

                                                                                               

USCIS carefully scrutinizes these petitions.  They maintain a very high threshold, which must be met in order to obtain an approved petition.

 

Last update:      July 15, 2002