What Can You Do This Year?

Your aim is move to the U.S. through a talent visa like EB1A or EB2 NIW?

These visas offer a pathway to a U.S. green card for professionals with exceptional achievements—and the best part? You can start preparing right now! In this article, we’ll walk you through actionable steps to boost your chances of building a winning case.

At Talent Elevate, we specialize in helping professionals craft compelling EB1A and EB2 NIW cases by analyzing their careers and highlighting their accomplishments. While we don’t provide legal services, we’re here to ensure your successes shine in the best possible light. Let’s dive into what you can do to make your U.S. talent visa dream a reality!

 
1. Assess Your Achievements and Choose the Right Visa
The first step is figuring out which visa fits your profile: EB1A (for individuals with extraordinary abilities) or EB2 NIW (for professionals whose work serves the U.S. national interest).

EB1A is ideal if you’re a recognized leader in your field—think international awards, features in major publications, or speaking engagements at global conferences.
EB2 NIW is a great option if you have an advanced degree (master’s, PhD) or exceptional abilities, and your work benefits the U.S.—like groundbreaking research in medicine, tech, or sustainability.

What to Do: Take stock of your achievements: list your awards, publications, and impactful projects.
Reach out to us at Talent Elevate for a free case evaluation. We’ll help you determine which visa aligns with your profile and identify the achievements to emphasize.
 
2. Strengthen Your Professional Profile
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) demands solid evidence of your accomplishments. The stronger your profile, the better your odds of approval.

What to Do: Secure Awards. Enter professional competitions or apply for industry-recognized awards. Even local accolades can add weight to your case.
Publish Articles: Write and publish articles in respected journals or major media outlets. This is especially crucial for EB1A, where global recognition is key.
Speak at Conferences: Organize or participate in international conferences or webinars. It’s a powerful way to showcase your expertise.
Join Prestigious Associations: Become a member of professional organizations that require outstanding achievements for entry, such as elite scientific societies.
 
3. Gather Strong Recommendation Letters
Letters of recommendation from colleagues, supervisors, or industry experts are a cornerstone of your case. They validate your achievements and highlight your influence in your field.

What to Do: Identify who can vouch for you: professors, bosses, partners, or clients who know your work well.
Ask them if they would be willing to write detailed letters outlining your accomplishments, contributions, and impact—for example, how your work has transformed your industry or benefited society.
Ensure the letters are written on official letterhead and signed for authenticity.
Tip from Talent Elevate: We can help you draft a letter template that aligns with USCIS requirements and showcases your strengths effectively.

 
4. Prove National Interest (For EB2 NIW)
If you’re pursuing EB2 NIW, you’ll need to demonstrate that your work serves the U.S. national interest—think solving pressing issues in healthcare, technology, or environmental sustainability.

What to Do: Develop a project that tackles a significant challenge: for instance, if you’re an engineer, work on a technology that advances renewable energy solutions.
Gather evidence of your impact: collect data, client testimonials, or proof of how your solutions have been implemented.
Write a clear explanation of how your work benefits the U.S. on a national scale.
 
5. Enhance Your Education and Experience
For EB2 NIW, you’ll need an advanced degree (master’s, PhD) or exceptional abilities (e.g., 10+ years of experience, a high salary, or notable recognition). For EB1A, education matters less, but additional experience always strengthens your case.

What to Do: If you don’t have a master’s degree, enroll in a program you can complete soon—online courses are a great option.
Earn certifications or licenses that validate your expertise.
Boost your experience: take on a leadership role in a project or launch a startup that creates jobs and drives impact.
 
6. Start Collecting Your Documents
A strong EB1A or EB2 NIW case requires a robust portfolio of documents, from awards to publications. The sooner you start gathering them, the better prepared you’ll be.

What to Do: Collect copies of your diplomas, certificates, and awards.
Translate documents into English if they’re in another language.
Gather evidence: publications, patents, testimonials, and contracts.
Organize everything chronologically to streamline your case preparation.
 
7. Plan to File Soon
If you start preparing now, you can file your I-140 petition (the main form for EB1A and EB2 NIW) in the coming months.

What to Do: Ensure your case is ready: all documents are collected, and recommendation letters are in hand.
Budget for the fees: the I-140 filing fee is $715, plus an additional fee for premium processing if you opt for faster adjudication (timelines for expedited processing vary depending on the visa type).
Keep in mind that after filing, you’ll need to wait for your priority date to become current per the Visa Bulletin. For EB2 NIW, there may be backlogs, especially for applicants from countries with high demand, like India or China.
Contact Talent Elevate: we’ll help review your case and prepare materials to meet USCIS standards.
 
Why Act Now?
Visa Bulletin Backlogs: EB2 NIW can have lengthy wait times, particularly for citizens of high-demand countries. The earlier you file, the sooner you secure your spot in line.
Preparation Takes Time: Gathering documents, publishing articles, and earning awards can take months.
Competition: A stronger case means a higher chance of approval. Taking action now gives you the edge you need.
 
At Talent Elevate, we’re experts in preparing EB1A and EB2 NIW cases. We’ll help you: Analyze your achievements and select the best visa for your goals.
Prepare materials that spotlight your successes.
Offer guidance on structuring your case for maximum impact.

Important Note: We do not provide legal services. For legal advice, we recommend consulting a licensed immigration attorney.

Final Thoughts
Filing for a U.S. talent visa is a game-changing opportunity for professionals eager to relocate to the U.S. You have the power to build a rock-solid foundation for a successful case: strengthen your profile, gather compelling evidence, and prepare your documents with care. With Talent Elevate by your side, you’ll navigate this journey faster and more confidently. Take the first step today, be active!