EB-1 Processing Time: Everything You Need to Know

The EB-1 visa is a powerful option used by professionals from around the world to get a US green card.  One of the questions I get asked most frequently about the EB-1 visa is: How long is the EB-1 processing time? In this guide, I will explain the EB-1 processing time from beginning to end.

1. EB-1 Processing Time (Quick Answer)

The EB1 visa is divided into 3 different categories: EB-1A, EB-1B, and EB-1C, each with its own EB-1 processing time. The EB-1 processing time, including the EB-1 premium processing fee will depend on which of these 3 categories you are applying for. Additionally, the overall EB-1 processing time will depend on other factors, including:

• whether you select premium processing;
• For I-140 EB-1 processing time, if you’re doing an adjustment of status, whether you file your I-140 at the same time as your I-485 (concurrent filing), or if you first wait for the I-140 to get approved, and then file your I-485;
• which USCIS service center reviews your case (Nebraska Service Center/Texas Service Center)
• whether an RFE is issued for your case.

These factors will be discussed in more detail below, as they directly impact the overall EB-1 processing time.

Here is a quick overview of the EB-1 processing time by category:

EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) and EB-1B (Outstanding Professors and Researchers)

I-140 Processing Time:

• Standard Processing: average processing time of 5.5 to 6.5 months
• Premium Processing: 15 days

Adjustment of Status /Visa Processing Time:

• Average processing time of 6 to 8 months

EB-1C (Multinational Manager or Executive)

I-140 Processing Time:

• Texas Service Center: average processing time of 7.5 to 9.5 months
• Nebraska Service Center: average processing time of 12.5 to 16 months, which reflects the current i140 nebraska processing time for EB-1C petitions.
• Premium Processing: Not Available

Adjustment of Status /Visa Processing Time:

• Average processing time of 6 to 8 months

You can check current USCIS processing times using the USCIS website, here.

Now that we’ve gone over the basics, let’s go over the details of the EB-1 green card and the process of getting an EB-1 green card, including how each step affects EB-1 processing time.

2. Intro to EB-1 Visa

The EB-1 visa is broken into 3 separate categories EB-1A, EB-1B, and EB-1C. Each of these subcategories has its own requirements for approval, which highlights the difference between EB-1A and EB-1B.

• EB-1A: The EB-1A visa is reserved for people who have an extraordinary ability in either the sciences, arts, business, athletics, education, motion picture industry, or television industry. EB-1A petitioners must demonstrate that they have an extraordinary ability in a particular field and that they will come to the US to work in that particular field. This category typically requires various evidence such as awards, publications, memberships in various organizations within the field, etc.

• EB-1B green card processing time can vary, but the EB-1B visa is reserved for outstanding professors and researchers. The EB-1B visa has a lower standard for approval than the EB-1A visa, however, it is only available to professors and researchers.

• EB-1C: The EB1C visa is reserved for multinational managers and executives. It provides a direct path to permanent residence (a green card) for individuals who have previously worked in the United States in a managerial or executive role under an L-1 visa. To qualify for an EB-1C visa, you must have worked for 1 continuous year (full-time) for a foreign company as either a manager or executive. You must be coming to the United States to work for a US company as a manager or executive. The US company must have a qualifying relationship with a foreign company (they must one of the following relationships: parent/subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office).

Depending on which of these categories you apply for, your EB-1 processing time will be different.

3. EB-1 Process Explained

Applying for an EB-1 green card is a 2-step process that directly impacts the total EB-1 processing time. The first step is to file an immigrant petition (Form I-140) with USCIS. Once the Form I-140 is approved, you have 2 options for how to proceed; you can either apply for an adjustment of status with USCIS or apply for an immigrant visa at a US consulate or embassy abroad.

Form I-140

• The Form I-140 (also called the Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) is the initial petition that must be filed for an EB-1 green card and is a key component of the overall EB-1 processing time.

• For EB-1A and EB-1B petitions, the I-140 takes about 5.5 to 6.5 months to process with standard processing.

• For EB-1C petitions, the I-140 takes anywhere from 7.5 to 16 months to process depending on the USCIS service center reviewing the petition.

Premium Processing

For EB-1A and EB-1B petitions, USCIS offers an optional premium processing service for an additional fee of $2,805.If you select EB-1 premium processing, USCIS will review and respond to your I-140 petition within 15 calendar days, although this may result in an approval, denial, or request for evidence. Premium processing is currently not available for EB-1C petitions, which can increase the EB-1 processing time.

Quick Note About RFEs

When reviewing your I-140, USCIS may sometimes issue a request for additional evidence (RFE). If an RFE is issued on your case, it can slow down the overall processing time and extend the EB-1 processing time. This is because it will take additional time for you to prepare a response to the RFE. It will also take time for USCIS to review your response and then issue a decision on your case. So receiving an RFE can increase the overall EB-1 processing time by 3 to 6 months.

Adjustment of Status

• An adjustment of status is available to people who are already lawfully present in the United States in a qualifying non-immigrant status (such as a B1/B2 visa).

• Adjustment of status quite literally means adjusting from a non-immigrant status to immigrant status.

• The adjustment of status is handled entirely within the United States

• You apply for an adjustment of status by filing a Form I-485 with USCIS

• The I-485 takes about 6 to 8 months to process on average and contributes to the total EB-1 processing time.

• You are usually given work authorization and travel permission 90 days after filing your Form I-485 with USCIS. Until receiving these documents, you should not leave the US.

Concurrent Filing

In certain situations, you may be eligible to file your Form I-140 and your Form I-485 (adjustment of status) at the same time (this is also referred to as concurrent filing), which can significantly affect the EB-1 I-140 processing time. By filing both forms together, the overall EB-1 processing time is shortened.

In order to concurrently file your I-140 and I-485, the EB-1 subcategory that you are applying for must be current. This is a somewhat complicated concept to explain. To oversimplify, sometimes high demand for certain visa categories leads to a waitlist for that category (this is referred to as visa retrogression). If the visa is current (no waitlist) then you can file the I-140 and the I-485 at the same time. If there is a waitlist, then you have to wait until your I-140 is approved and then wait for your visa to become current (get to the front of the line) before filing your I-485. Visa backlogs can vary significantly across employment-based categories, including the EB-3 processing time, which may be longer depending on demand and country of birth. Historically, all EB-1 categories are usually current and are therefore eligible for concurrent filing, which can make EB-1 more attractive compared to categories such as the EB-3 visa, where visa backlogs may sometimes result in longer wait times depending on the applicant’s country of birth.

Visa Processing

• If you are outside of the US, you will likely have to do visa processing (also called consular processing). This is the process of applying for a visa at a US embassy or consulate abroad.

• To do visa processing, you must file a Form DS-260 with the Department of State. The DS-260 is also called the Immigrant Visa Electronic Application.

• The DS-260 takes about 6 to 8 months on average to process as part of the full EB-1 processing time.

• After you submit your DS-260, you will attend a visa interview at a US consulate or embassy abroad.

• Following a successful interview, an immigrant visa will be affixed to your passport allowing entry to the US.

• Visa processing is not eligible for concurrent filing. Your Form I-140 must be approved by USCIS before filing a DS-260.

4. Benefits of EB-1 Visa

The EB-1 visa has several benefits which make it a very attractive immigration option for working professionals.

Here are some of the benefits:

• No Labor Certification Required: For many employment-based green cards, a US employer is required to apply for and get an approved labor certification through the Department of Labor. The labor certification process can be both time consuming and tedious. For an EB-1 green card, your employer is not required to get an approved labor certification. In addition, for the EB-1A visa, you are not even required to have an employer file your I-140 petition. Instead, you can self-petition.

• Live and Work in the US: EB-1 is an immigrant visa category. This means that successful applicants under this classification are eligible for a US permanent residence (a green card) for themselves, their spouse, and their unmarried children under 21 years old. As a green card holder, you can live and work anywhere in the US.

• Premium Processing: EB-1A and EB-1B are both eligible for premium processing. Selecting EB-1 premium processing, when available, can significantly reduce the I-140 adjudication portion of the overall EB-1 processing time.

5. Conclusion

The EB-1 visa is a great option to get a green card to the United States (if you can qualify under 1 of the 3 sub-categories), and the EB-1 processing time is often faster compared to other employment-based categories. With an EB-1 green card you can live and work in the United States, and get immigration benefits for your spouse and children. Also, due to various features such as premium processing and concurrent filing, the EB-1 processing times can be very favorable, particularly when compared to other employment-based paths such as the O-1 visa to green card process.

Some complex concepts were discussed in this guide. If you have any questions about any of the information covered in this guide, or if you need help with your EB-1 green card, you may consider consulting an experienced immigration law firm for guidance. You are also welcome to email me directly at contact@ashoorilaw.com.

Resources:

• EB1A Visa Guide: Everything You Need to Know About the EB1A Visa

• EB1B Visa Guide: Everything You Need to Know About the EB1B Visa

• EB1C Visa Guide: Everything You Need to Know About the EB1C Visa

• USCIS Check Case Processing Times

• US Department of State Employment-Based Immigrant Visas