What is an EB1 Visa?
The EB-1 visas, also known as the “priority worker” visa, is the first preference category for employment-based immigrant visas in the United States. It is designed for foreign nationals who are outstanding in their field and seek to live and work permanently in the U.S. This visa category is highly sought after due to its preference in processing and the fact that, in some subcategories, a job offer is not required.
- EB-1B: Outstanding Professors and Researchers: This category is for individuals with international recognition for their outstanding achievements in a specific academic field. Applicants must have at least three years of experience in teaching or research in that field and must be coming to the U.S. to pursue a tenure-track or comparable research position at a university or private employer. A job offer from a U.S. employer is required, and the employer must file the petition.
- EB-1C: Multinational Manager or Executive: This category is for executives and managers who have been employed for at least one of the three preceding years by an affiliate, parent, subsidiary, or branch of the U.S. employer in a managerial or executive capacity. The applicant must be coming to the U.S. to continue working in a managerial or executive capacity for the same company or a related entity. A job offer from the U.S. employer is required, and the employer must have been doing business for at least one year.
There are three subcategories under the EB-1 visa:
- EB-1A: Alien of Extraordinary Ability: This category is for individuals with demonstrated extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Applicants must have sustained national or international acclaim in their field. A specific job offer is not required for this category, allowing individuals to self-petition. They need to provide extensive documentation of their achievements, such as awards, publications, and significant contributions to their field.
EB-1 Expert Opinion Letter
An Expert Opinion Letter, often used in EB-1 visa petitions, is a document that explains how an applicant’s skills and experience meet the requirements of the visa, particularly the criteria for extraordinary ability. These letters are crucial for demonstrating the applicant’s qualifications to the USCIS and should be tailored to the specific EB-1 category and the applicant’s individual background and achievements.
An EB-1 expert opinion letter is a formal written statement from a recognized authority in your field that supports your extraordinary ability, outstanding professor/researcher status, or multinational executive/manager qualification under the EB-1 visa category.
These letters are not just character references — they are meant to demonstrate to USCIS that respected experts in your industry acknowledge your achievements as being at the very top of your field.
When they’re used in EB-1 Petitions
EB-1 petitions may use expert letters to:
- EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability): Prove your work is original, influential, and recognized internationally.
- EB-1B (Outstanding Professor/Researcher): Show your academic contributions are significant and recognized by other top researchers.
- EB-1C (Multinational Executive/Manager): Support your leadership role, management achievements, and impact in global business.
Who Can Write Them
- Established professionals with significant credentials — such as professors, researchers, CEOs, award-winning experts, or industry leaders.
- Can be independent (stronger) or collaborators (allowed, but USCIS weighs independent sources more heavily).
- Should be in the same or closely related field as yours.
Documents required for EB-1 expert opinion letter
- All education credentials in PDF format.
- Latest resume and Work experience letters if handy
- Letters of Recommendation: High-Caliber testimonials from peers, industry leaders, or other recognized experts, attesting to the applicant’s extraordinary abilities. Media Coverage: Articles or press releases highlighting the applicant’s achievements and impact in their field.
- Professional Achievements: Documentation of ground-breaking work, patents, or leading roles in prestigious organizations.
Others
- Evidence of Extraordinary Ability: Awards, recognitions, publications, and other proofs of the applicant’s outstanding contributions to their field.
- RFE Copy (if received from USCIS).
- Self-petition letter describing the proposed endeavour in the United States and which of at least three evidentiary criteria the candidate fulfils.
- Any pertinent exhibits that support the claims of the above letter detailing the candidate’s Extraordinary Ability.
- And any other documents being submitted to the USCIS or has been submitted in case of an RFE.
Key aspects of an EB-1 Expert Opinion Letter:
- Demonstrates Extraordinary Ability:
The letter should provide evidence and analysis of the applicant’s extraordinary ability, aligning it with the criteria for the specific EB-1 category (e.g., EB-1A for individuals of extraordinary ability, EB-1B for outstanding professors and researchers).
- Explains the Applicant’s Endeavor:
It should clearly outline the applicant’s proposed endeavor in the United States and how it relates to their area of expertise.
- Addresses USCIS Criteria:
The letter should specifically address the criteria used by USCIS to assess EB-1 applications, such as national or international prizes, membership in relevant associations, publications, judging the work of others, significant contributions, leading roles in distinguished organizations, and high salary or other forms of compensation.
- Customized Approach:
A strong Expert Opinion Letter is tailored to the applicant’s specific background and the requirements of the EB-1 visa category. It should not rely on generic templates but rather focus on the unique qualifications and accomplishments of the applicant.
- Independent Expert Perspective:
The letter should be written by an independent expert in the field who can provide an objective and informed assessment of the applicant’s abilities and potential contributions.
Importance of Expert Opinion Letters:
- Supplementing Evidence:
Expert Opinion Letters can strengthen an EB-1 application by providing additional evidence and analysis that may not be readily apparent from other submitted documents.
- Addressing RFE:
They can be crucial in responding to Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS by clarifying the applicant’s qualifications and addressing any concerns raised by the officer.
- Highlighting Impact and Contributions:
The letters can effectively highlight the applicant’s significant contributions to their field and demonstrate how their work will benefit the United States.
An EB-1 expert opinion letter for a USCIS RFE (Request for Evidence) is a formal statement from a recognized authority in your field, written to strengthen your case by explaining and validating your extraordinary ability, achievements, and impact.
For an EB-1 RFE, USCIS is usually signaling that the original evidence didn’t fully demonstrate that you meet one or more of the criteria under 8 CFR §204.5(h)(3) (or that the evidence wasn’t tied strongly enough to those criteria). An expert opinion letter is a way to directly address those gaps.
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Key Elements of an Effective EB-1 RFE Expert Letter
Author’s Credentials
- Full name, title, employer, and qualifications.
- Clear explanation of their stature in the field (citations, awards, leadership roles).
- Statement of independence (if possible) — especially powerful if the expert is not a current or former employer.
Relationship to You
- How the expert knows of your work (direct collaboration, industry publications, conferences, peer reputation).
- If not directly connected, the expert should emphasize objective evaluation of your publicly available work.
Description of Your Achievements
- Specific projects, innovations, or research contributions.
- Plain-English explanation of technical complexity.
- Tie each achievement to recognized impact in the field.
Link to EB-1 Criteria
- Each paragraph should map evidence to a specific criterion. For example:
- Original contributions of major significance – explain how your work transformed practices, enabled breakthroughs, or solved previously unsolved problems.
- Published material about you – explain the prestige and circulation of the publications that covered you.
- Judging the work of others – explain how invitations to review or judge reflect your standing.
Impact Evidence
- Industry adoption, citations, commercial use, standardization.
- Examples of companies, institutions, or agencies using your work.
- Recognition from national/international bodies.
Address RFE Concerns Directly
- Quote or paraphrase the USCIS doubt from the RFE.
- Provide evidence + reasoning that removes that doubt.
Formalities
- Dated and signed on institutional letterhead.
- Includes expert’s contact info.
- Professional, confident tone — avoids overly casual or generic praise.
Purpose in an RFE Context
- Bridge evidence to EB-1 criteria: Connects your accomplishments to the specific EB-1 requirements (original contributions, authorship, media coverage, judging, membership, etc.).
- Clarify technical achievements: Explains complex work in plain language for USCIS adjudicators.
- Establish industry impact: Shows that your work has significant recognition from peers at the national or international level.
- Refute any USCIS doubts: Directly counters concerns raised in the RFE (e.g., “The record does not show the petitioner’s work is of major significance to the field”).
Payment methods:
Payments can be made using one of the following (Zelle or ACH are Preferred):
Zelle: accounts@aaeevaluations.com
ACH to our bank account:
BANK OF AMERICA
Account Name: AAE EVALUATION
Account No. 4350 6003 3750
ACH Routing No. 051000017
Credit card authorization: Fill out the attached CC form and authorize us.
Note: We do not accept checks.
Best Practices for RFE Stage
- Multiple Experts: At RFE stage, 2–3 strong letters from top-tier experts (especially independent ones) can be decisive.
- Prestige of Experts: Prioritize experts with widely recognized credentials (leaders of associations, award winners, editors of major journals, CEOs of recognized companies, etc.).
- Evidence Integration: The letters should reference exhibits in your RFE response package so the officer can cross-check.
- Avoid Boilerplate: USCIS officers can spot template-heavy letters; each should be personalized, specific, and backed by objective facts.
FAQ
Quick QuestionS
1. What is an educational evaluation?
2. Why do I need an educational evaluation to go abroad?
3. Who needs an educational evaluation?
4. Which countries require education evaluations?
5. What documents are needed for an evaluation?
Required documents typically Include:
• Academic transcripts
• Diplomas or degree certificates
• Certified English translations if academic documents are in foreign language – We can help translate your documents or you can get them translated yourself before submitting to us.
6. How do I submit my documents for a credential evaluation?
You will need to submit copies of Academic transcripts and Diploma’s or degree certificates in PDF.
7. Who performs educational evaluations?
Certified credential evaluation agencies or organizations like AAE EVALUATIONS, www.aaeevaluations.com
8. How long does the evaluation process take?
It usually takes 4–5 business days, depending on the agency and service speed. At AAE EVALUATIONS the turnaround is 2 business days.
9. Is the evaluation valid forever?
Most evaluations do not expire, but some organizations may require a recent one.
10. How much does an educational evaluation cost?
Costs are varied, depending on the type of agencies. AAE EVALUATIONS fee is $55, which is the less compared to many other evaluation agencies.
11. What if my documents are not in English?
We can help translate your documents or you can get them translated yourself before submitting to us.
12. Are there different types of evaluations?
Yes, the most common are Document evaluation (for immigration/employment), Course-by-Course (for education) and combined education with work experience evaluation.
13. Can I use one evaluation for multiple purposes?
Sometimes, but always check the specific requirements of schools, employers, or immigration bodies.
14. Will my grades be changed during evaluation?
They’re converted into the equivalent grading scale of the destination country but not changed arbitrarily.
15. Do I need an evaluation for English-speaking countries only?
No, many non-English-speaking countries also require them for official recognition of foreign degrees.
16. Can I evaluate high school certificates too?
Yes, high school transcripts can also be evaluated, especially for undergraduate admissions.
17. Is an educational evaluation the same as a degree verification?
No. Degree verification confirms authenticity, while evaluation compares your qualifications to the destination country’s system.
18. Is it mandatory for student visas?
Often yes, especially when applying to colleges and universities.
19. Can I appeal an evaluation result?
Most agencies allow appeals or re-reviews, but fees may apply.
20. Where can I start the evaluation process?
Visit a recognized evaluation agency’s website like www.aaeevaluations.com
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