Hello everyone! I'm Miya, a violinist and musician involved in music education and performance in the United States. Today, I'm sharing my experience obtaining a green card through the EB1A Extraordinary Ability category, from submitting the application to receiving the physical green card in just 10 months.
Applying for the EB1A Green Card
I submitted my I-140 application in July 2024. Because I wanted to expedite the process, I opted to pay the premium processing fee of $2,800 USD. These fees are continuously increasing! Without premium processing, it could take up to a year for a response. In just over two weeks, I received the approval for my I-140!
In September, I submitted my I-485 application, which is the application to adjust status. On September 20th, I saw that the USCIS had received my application. In November, I went in to have my fingerprints taken. By the end of May 2025, it was finally approved! I received my physical green card in early June. The entire process, from submitting the I-140 to receiving the card, took about 10 months. If you're interested in a long-term future in the U.S. or are preparing to apply for an EB1A green card, I hope my experience helps you.
Background and Initial Visa Status
I'm from Taiwan and have studied music since I was young, majoring in violin. In 2021, I came to Northwestern University in the U.S. on an F1 student visa to pursue a master's degree. The program was two years long, but due to the pandemic, my first year was online from Taiwan. I came to Chicago for my second year to study.
In 2022, after finishing my master's, I moved to the Bay Area in California for work. At that time, I was on OPT (Optional Practical Training), which requires sponsorship from a company or institution. So, I worked at a music school. In 2023, my boss suggested that I apply for an H1B work visa.
The first time I applied in March, I wasn't selected. I considered applying for an O1 artist visa as an alternative. In August, just as I was about to submit my O1 application, I was selected in the second round of the H1B lottery! I stayed in the U.S. using the H1B visa.
Transitioning to EB1A
Since I had already paid the attorney's fees for the O1 artist visa, and didn't want to waste that money, I asked my lawyer to convert the case to an EB1A application. He agreed, with the condition that I paid additional fees, of course!
Many people have asked me why I chose the EB1A category. EB1A is an employment-based green card, but it doesn't require employer sponsorship. You can self-petition by proving that you have extraordinary ability. The key is to demonstrate that you excel in your field.
For those in the arts and music performance, H1B visas can be quite restrictive because all work must be through your employer. If you want the freedom to take on freelance work before obtaining a green card, the O1 artist visa is a more suitable option.
Preparing the EB1A Application: Meeting the Criteria
There are 10 criteria for the EB1A, and a successful case must meet at least three. The first step is to assess which criteria you meet. I submitted evidence for seven of them.
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Major Awards or Prizes: I included documentation from national and international competitions I had participated in. My lawyer even wanted proof from competitions dating back over a decade!
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Membership in Associations: I was a member of a music association.
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Media Coverage: This was a strong point for me, with numerous reports in Taiwanese media, online music interviews, and articles in American newspapers. All Chinese content had to be translated into English with the source and its importance indicated.
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Judging/Reviewing: I did not meet this criterion.
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Original Contributions: I had written a book and conducted school tours, which qualified me for this. The book was also held by the National Library.
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Scholarly Articles: Since I didn't have a doctorate, I hadn't written any scholarly articles.
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Exhibitions or Showcases: I had performed at the National Theater and Concert Hall and American music halls, and provided programs, photos, and video screenshots.
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Leading or Critical Role: I had held positions in orchestras in Taiwan and served as an Ensemble Director in California. I listed my experience as a principal player or soloist.
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High Salary or Remuneration: I did not meet this criterion.
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Commercial Success: I provided box office records for several performances and events.
Recommendation Letters and Document Preparation
I submitted a total of seven recommendation letters, including letters from former employers and professors. Initially, I misunderstood the purpose of recommendation letters, thinking I needed many. However, the recommendation letters serve as evidence to support the listed ten criteria.
Regarding document preparation, all Chinese materials needed to be translated into English with a translator's certification, which was quite time-consuming.
Advice for Future Applicants
If you're considering applying for an EB1A, start by assessing your qualifications and matching them to the ten criteria. Nobody knows your achievements better than you do.
When I sought advice, many lawyers suggested marriage as a faster route! Some even told me I didn't qualify for an O1 artist visa, and that I needed one or two more years of achievements. Don't be discouraged by what others say. Do your research and study successful cases.
Start preparing as early as possible. Getting recommendation letters, including the back-and-forth revisions and signatures, took two to three months. You can't rush recommenders. Also, I hadn't kept good records of older programs, as not everything was digital back then. Gathering this information took a lot of time.
The more complete your documentation, the easier it is to convince the immigration officer, who may not be an expert in your field. Keep the writing straightforward and avoid excessive technical jargon. The lawyer's primary role is to write a cover letter that effectively argues how you meet the criteria.
I provided my lawyer with over 200 pages of information so that he could understand my work and write a strong cover letter for the immigration authorities.
That's it! Thank you for listening to my experience. I created a script to avoid making mistakes. Please like this video! Thank you, and goodbye!