The Peng Law · Reference
Quick reference for employment-based immigration legal citations. Click to copy for use in application materials.
EB1A Extraordinary Ability criteria
8 C.F.R. § 204.5(h)(3)EB1A two-part analysis
Kazarian v. USCIS, 596 F.3d 1115 (9th Cir. 2010)EB1 statutory basis
INA § 203(b)(1), 8 U.S.C. § 1153(b)(1)EB1 USCIS guidance
USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Pt. F, Ch. 2EB2 advanced degree requirement
8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(2)National Interest Waiver provision
8 C.F.R. § 204.5(k)(4)(ii)NIW three-prong test precedent
Matter of Dhanasar, 26 I&N Dec. 884 (AAO 2016)Superseded NIW standard
Matter of New York State Dep't of Transp., 22 I&N Dec. 215 (1998)EB2 statutory basis
INA § 203(b)(2), 8 U.S.C. § 1153(b)(2)NIW USCIS guidance
USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Pt. F, Ch. 526 I&N Dec. 884 (AAO 2016)
Established the current NIW three-prong test framework, replacing the 1998 Matter of NYSDOT standard. Requires applicants to demonstrate: (1) the proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance; (2) the applicant is well positioned to advance the endeavor; (3) on balance, it would be beneficial to waive the labor certification requirement.
596 F.3d 1115 (9th Cir. 2010)
Established the EB-1A "two-step analysis": Step 1, objectively determine whether evidence meets the plain language requirements of at least 3 of the 10 criteria; Step 2, conduct a final merits determination of whether the totality of evidence demonstrates sustained national or international acclaim. Meeting 3 criteria does not automatically prove extraordinary ability.
A citation is the easy part. Which criteria to claim, what evidence carries them, and how the final merits determination will read are the parts that decide the case.
Citation information on this page is for reference only. Accuracy and timeliness may be affected by legal changes. Please verify all citations through official sources before submitting applications.