This subcategory is reserved for persons with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. An individual must be able to demonstrate national or international acclaim for work in his/her field of expertise. The level of expertise requires a person to be one of the very top in his/her field of endeavor.

Evidence of extraordinary ability requires the person to be the recipient of a major international prize, such as an Academy Award, Grammy Award, etc. or the person must provide extensive documentation meeting at least 3 of the following 10 criteria:

• Receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards in the field
• Membership in associations in the field that requires outstanding achievement of its members
• Published material about the individual in professional or major trade publications or other major media
• Participation as a judge of others in the field
• Evidence of original, scientific, scholastic, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field
• Authorship of scholarly articles in the field appearing in major trade journals or other industry media
• Display of the individual’s work at artistic exhibitions or showcases
• Performance in a leading or critical role for organizations that have a distinguished reputation
• Command of a high salary relative to others in the field
• Commercial success in the performing arts
• If an individual has additional types of evidence that can demonstrate extraordinary ability in a field, such evidence will be considered.

Submission of documentation meeting 3 of the 10 criteria is insufficient alone. The quality of the evidence must clearly demonstrate the person is of extraordinary ability.

A person seeking to immigrate as a person of extraordinary ability does not require a U.S. sponsor. He/she may self-sponsor. This subcategory does not require a PERM Labor Certification.