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EB-1A / NIW Self-Assessment Tool

Evaluate your eligibility for two self-petitioned green card pathways: EB-1A Extraordinary Ability (10 criteria, need 3) and NIW National Interest Waiver (Dhanasar 3-prong test). Answer questions about your qualifications to get a personalized assessment with live USCIS approval rates.

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This tool provides a general self-assessment based on publicly available USCIS criteria. It does not constitute legal advice. Actual eligibility depends on the quality and quantity of your evidence, USCIS adjudicator interpretation, and current policy guidance. Always consult a licensed US immigration attorney before filing any petition.

How This Tool Works

The assessment has two parts. Part 1 evaluates your profile against the 10 EB-1A criteria for extraordinary ability. For each criterion, you indicate whether you have strong evidence, some evidence, or no evidence. Part 2 walks you through the NIW Dhanasar 3-prong test with yes/no questions about your proposed endeavor. At the end, you receive side-by-side results showing how you stack up for each pathway, along with live approval rate data from USCIS.

What This Tool Covers

For EB-1A, the tool evaluates all 10 regulatory criteria: awards, memberships, published material, judging, original contributions, scholarly articles, exhibitions, leading roles, high salary, and commercial success. You need at least 3 to qualify. For NIW, it tests the Dhanasar framework: (1) substantial merit and national importance, (2) well positioned to advance, and (3) benefit to waive job offer requirement. All three prongs must be satisfied.

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Tips for Using This Tool

1Document everything. For each EB-1A criterion you claim, gather letters, publications, awards, contracts, or other tangible evidence that supports your case.
2Quality matters more than quantity. Three criteria with strong, well-documented evidence are more compelling than five criteria with weak supporting materials.
3For NIW, clearly define your “proposed endeavor” and explain its national importance. Vague or overly broad endeavors are a common reason for denial.
4Consider consulting an immigration attorney who specializes in EB-1A and NIW cases. They can evaluate the strength of your evidence and help craft a compelling petition narrative.

Frequently Asked Questions

EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) is a first preference employment-based category for individuals who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim. You need to meet at least 3 of 10 criteria. NIW (National Interest Waiver) is a subset of EB-2 that waives the requirement for a job offer and PERM labor certification. It uses the Dhanasar 3-prong test to evaluate whether your proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance, you are well positioned to advance it, and it would benefit the US to waive the job offer requirement.

Data Source & Methodology

Approval rates displayed in this tool are fetched live from USCIS I-140 classification statistics stored in our database. These rates are based on annual USCIS data for EB-1A and EB-2 NIW petition outcomes. The self-assessment questions are based on the 10 criteria listed in 8 CFR 204.5(h)(3) for EB-1A and the Dhanasar framework (Matter of Dhanasar, 26 I&N Dec. 884, AAO 2016) for NIW.

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This self-assessment provides a general indication of your potential eligibility. It does not evaluate the quality or sufficiency of your evidence, which is critical to a successful petition. USCIS adjudicators conduct a thorough review of all submitted materials. A strong self-assessment result does not guarantee approval, and a weak result does not mean you cannot qualify with the right evidence and legal strategy. Always consult a licensed immigration attorney.