Permanent Residence Petitions under EB-1A (“Green Cards”)

1. Receiving lesser national and international awards that do not meet the single major award threshold:

Athletic awards are still helpful if they do not meet the major award category. Lessor awards can still be included in the petition for both amateur and professional athletes to fulfill this eligibility category. Helpful athletic awards include championships, special recognition from reputable and prestigious organizations, government-issued awards such as masters of sport, and other achievements that are helpful for the EB-1 visa application. 

3. Articles and published materials about the athlete in reputable media outlets:

Media and news outlets that publish articles about athletes and coaches are very useful. The articles and published materials should feature the athlete (not just mention them briefly), and come from a media outlet that has a good reputation, and it is best if the outlet’s audience is in more than one country. 

5. Original contributions of major significance to your sport, team, or industry:

This is another category that may be more useful for coaches than athletes. This eligibility category can be satisfied through written training manuals, special strategies, new techniques, training videos, and other original presentations from the athlete or coach.

7. showing that the athlete’s work has been displayed in showcases or exhibitions:

Appearing in halls of fame, being featured for special moves or accomplishments on TV, clinics, and seminars that are well attended, are all useful information for this EB-1A category.

9. obtaining a high payout or salary compared to other athletes or coaches in your sport

Being paid well compared to your peers or national averages can also help prove the EB-1A case by establishing the remuneration eligibility category. There are several ways to prove that an athlete’s or coach's salary is high compared to peers including copies of contracts, confirmations from industry experts, reports from labor statistics, and more. 

2. Memberships in prestigious associations that require outstanding qualities from members:

This category can be helpful for athletes if argued properly to the USCIS. This could include membership on a national team, all-star team appearances, media-related lists and recognitions, training invitations, and other opportunities. This eligibility category can also be met by professional organizations that have international recognition for coaches. 

4. having experience judging the work of other athletes as an individual or as a panel:

This category is very useful for coaches whose primary job is judging and evaluating groups of athletes and other coaches. This category may be more difficult for athletes to fit into, but it can be done. For example, we have made the argument that being used as a sparring partner in the training camp is an evaluation of other athletes. 

6. Being the author of scholarly articles about your sport that are published in a major media outlet:

For coaches and athletes who also like to write, this category could be useful for the EB-1A petition. This eligibility criterion could be established in essays, news articles, books, and other pieces that are authored by an athlete or coach and then published publicly in a reputable media outlet.

8. employment in a leading or critical role with a prestigious organization:

Previous or current employment or contract assignment with a prestigious organization and having significant contributions in the role can satisfy this eligibility criterion. For example, starting for or coaching a national team that has success in world championships or the Olympics is ideal for this EB-1A eligibility category. It can also be great for individual sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts if an athlete headlines a card for one of the world’s biggest promotional companies or a similar prestigious employer. 

Contact Us and Start your EB-1A Application

If you might be eligible for an EB-1A green card as an athlete or a coach, do not hesitate to contact or call our law office for an honest evaluation. The U.S. is one of the best places to live for internationally known and internationally recognized athletes to make a great living and create a legacy.