First Preference (EB-1)
Foreign Nationals of Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers and Multinational Executives and Managers: Individuals in this category can petition for permanent residency without having to go through the lengthy labor certification process.

Qualifications: The First Employment-based preference has three categories of eligibility: persons of extraordinary ability; outstanding researchers and multinational managers and executives. Once a foreign national has obtained an approved visa petition establishing eligibility in one of the three categories, the applicant may apply for permanent residence in the United States.

Extraordinary Ability: Persons of extraordinary ability are those who have reached the top of their field of endeavor. To demonstrate this level of achievement to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, an applicant must demonstrate that they have achieved world-wide acclaim for their work. This can be demonstrated by showing that the applicant has received the highest possible award in their field such as a Nobel or Pulitzer prize. If the applicant has not received such an award, other evidence such as, lesser awards, publications by and about the applicant, letters of recommendation from other highly recognized experts in the field and other evidence may be submitted to demonstrate the individual's extraordinary ability in the field.

Outstanding Researchers: Scientific and other researchers who have a job offer in the United States and three years of research experience may apply for permanent residence under this category of eligibility. Researchers must submit evidence to the Immigration and Naturalization Service demonstrating that they have received world-wide recognition for their research accomplishments. Such evidence may include publications by and about the applicant, awards for work in the field, letters of recommendation from experts in the field and other evidence demonstrating the importance of the researcher's accomplishments.

Multinational Managers and Executives: Multinational companies seeking to transfer a manager or executive from an overseas position to a similar U.S. position may apply for permanent residence in the United States. The employer must submit evidence that the executive or manager has been employed in the overseas operation for one year or more and has the qualifications and duties of an executive or manager.