Permanent Residence for Extraordinary Coaches: When an Olympic Gold Medal Isn’t Enough
The EB-1A permanent residence category is reserved only for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Individuals seeking EB-1A status must demonstrate that they belong to a small percentage of professionals who have risen to the very top of the field of endeavor, that they have sustained national or international acclaim in the field of expertise, and that they intend to continue to work in their area of extraordinary ability. They must produce evidence of one major internationally-recognized award (e.g. a Nobel Prize or an Olympic medal), or alternatively, evidence of at least three out of 10 criteria. The standard has become more stringent over the years and EB-1A petitions are more challenging than they may seem.