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.
01
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
02
Membership in Prestigious Organizations
- Acceptance into top accelerators (Y Combinator, Techstars, 500 Global)
- Memberships requiring peer-reviewed selection
- Organization bylaws showing selective admission criteria
03
Media Coverage
- Articles in major publications (TechCrunch, Wired, WSJ, etc.)
- Coverage specifically about you or your work
- Publication reach metrics (traffic, circulation)
04
Judging or Reviewing Work
- Judging hackathons or competitions
- Peer review for journals or conferences
- Roles on investment or accelerator selection committees
05
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)
06
Authorship & Thought Leadership
- Articles in professional or trade publications
- Conference presentations or white papers
- Industry speaking engagements
07
Critical Role in Distinguished Organizations
- Roles such as Founder, CTO, or VP Engineering
- Proof the company is well-known (unicorn, public company, industry leader)
08
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.
01
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
02
Your Proposed Endeavor
- Founders: Pitch deck or business plan
- Professionals: Career plan or personal statement
03
National Importance
- Work in critical fields (AI, biotech, clean energy, etc.)
- Job creation in the US
- Contributions to national security, healthcare, or economy
04
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:
O-1A visa
EB-1A green card
EB-2 NIW
Gather your documents and share them with our team to begin your evaluation.
Disclaimer
This checklist is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances and current adjudication standards.
Your next move deserves more attention.
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