More Indian professionals, especially in the tech sector, are moving away from the traditional H-1B visa and turning to the EB-1A visa, also known as the ‘Extraordinary Ability’ green card. Unlike the H-1B, which comes with lottery-based selection, job dependency, and long wait times, the EB-1A offers a direct and faster route to U.S. permanent residency.
The EB-1A visa is designed for individuals who possess extraordinary skills in fields such as science, technology, education, and the arts. Indian applicants, including AI experts, researchers, and patent holders, have been increasingly successful in qualifying for this category. The key advantage? Applicants can self-petition, meaning they don’t need a job offer or employer sponsorship, giving them more freedom and control over their immigration process.
Although the cost of applying can exceed $100,000 when legal and other fees are included, many view it as a worthwhile investment given the long-term benefits and the reduced uncertainty compared to the H-1B visa process. EB-1A applicants also avoid massive backlogs, a common problem in other U.S. immigration categories.
With rising rejection rates and political scrutiny around H-1B visas, the EB-1A route is gaining favor among top-tier Indian professionals looking for a stable, permanent future in the U.S. It is fast emerging as a new version of the American Dream for highly skilled Indians.
