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"Why Aren't You Using All of the Evidence I Gave You?" Reasons Why Some Evidence May Be Left Out of Your EB-1A Petition
When preparing an EB-1A petition, it's natural to want every achievement and document included in your case. However, our legal team makes careful choices about what evidence to submit. Here are some of the reasons why we may not include all of the evidence a client provides us.
Relevance to EB-1A Criteria
Evidence needs to map directly to the EB-1A regulatory criteria, such as major awards, published work, or a lasting impact in your field. Submitting documents that don't

Brian Lisonbee
Nov 54 min read
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10 Common Pitfalls That Occur During the EB-1A Petition Process (and What You Can Do to Fix Them)
Filing an EB-1A petition is a critical step for individuals with extraordinary ability seeking permanent residency in the U.S., and it requires far more than simply showcasing professional accomplishments. You must provide compelling, well-documented evidence that clearly demonstrates sustained national or international acclaim, and positions you at the top of your field. With denial rates trending upward [1], even minor oversights can lead to significant setbacks–wasting tim

Brian Lisonbee
Oct 304 min read
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AI: Friend or Foe in your EB-1A Petition Journey?
Your lawyer says you’ll need to write a personal statement for your petition. There’s an outline provided, but when your entire career has been focused on technical writing, how do you write something personal?Â
So, you open ChatGPT, type in instructions for what you need to write, answer a couple of clarifying questions, and within seconds it produces a document filled with technical brilliance that clearly explains all the work you’ve done. Voilà !
But does it actually sou

Brian Lisonbee
Oct 244 min read
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EB-1/O-1 Evidence Strategy: Quality vs. Quantity
When you consider filing an immigrant EB-1 petition or nonimmigrant O-1 petition, you quickly realize that qualifying for either of these two categories is no easy feat. Not only do they require extraordinary ability and achievement, they also require a strategic and meticulous presentation of the evidentiary documentation. Arguably, this is the main reason why obtaining legal counsel for these processes is so advantageous: your evidence must support the established, albeit n

Brian Lisonbee
Oct 225 min read
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Help Us Help You!
Our law firm is excited to begin working on your case. To help our legal writers produce the strongest possible petition, we’ve found that certain practices make the process smoother and the final product more effective. Here’s how you can best support our team:
📄 GETTING STARTED
Write your personal statement early. This serves as a roadmap for your case and helps guide the direction of the petition.
Use plain language. Remember that USCIS officers are not trained in your

Brian Lisonbee
Oct 154 min read
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What Are The Next Steps?
You’ve decided to apply for an EB-1A visa and have signed on with Lisonbee Immigration Law to help gather your evidence, craft your strategy, and prepare your compelling petition. You are already off to a great start, but what are the next steps? This is a question we hear often from our clients. The EB-1A process is something of a marathon, taking several months to complete, so it is understandable that it often feels overwhelming, especially at the beginning. In this blog p

Brian Lisonbee
Oct 85 min read
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Navigating the EB-1 Visa Journey: Insights from a Client Interview
At Lisonbee Immigration Law, we recognize that the U.S. immigration system can feel overwhelming, especially when pursuing one of the highest and most prestigious employment-based categories: the EB-1. This category is designed for individuals with extraordinary ability in their field, outstanding professors or researchers, or certain multinational executives. Unlike other visa categories, the EB-1 does not require labor certification. Further, EB-1A applicants are allowed to

Brian Lisonbee
Sep 177 min read
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EB-1A: Your Role — Is It Leading, Critical, or Both?
When applying for an EB-1A visa, applicants must show that they meet at least three of the ten regulatory criteria outlined in section 203(b)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. One of these criteria focuses on whether your role in your organization or field is leading, critical, or both. Understanding this distinction and providing clear, documented evidence of sustained impact and recognition over time can be a key factor in a successful petition. While establishi

Brian Lisonbee
Sep 116 min read
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Mastering Your Responsibilities as an EB-1A Client
Applying for an EB-1A visa isn't your average paperwork shuffle. It's a declaration that you are among the top in your field--an invitation to the U.S. government to recognize you as extraordinary. This involves a large volume of evidence and written material organized in a compelling manner that presents your case to the person reviewing your petition.
While our skilled legal team can build a strong case around your achievements, you (as the client), have several responsib

Brian Lisonbee
Sep 44 min read
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Immigrant vs. Nonimmigrant Visas: Understanding the U.S. Visa System
Navigating the U.S. immigration system can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding the many types of visas available. Whether you're planning a short visit, moving for work, or seeking permanent residency, the type of visa you apply for will significantly impact your legal rights and long-term options in the United States. One of the most fundamental distinctions in U.S. immigration law is between immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.Â

Brian Lisonbee
Aug 274 min read
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Documenting Sustained Acclaim for a Successful EB-1A Petition
To be eligible for an employment-based visa such as the EB-1A, you must be able to demonstrate extraordinary ability in the sciences,...

Brian Lisonbee
Aug 217 min read
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Behind the Scenes: What It’s Like Working with a Lawyer on an EB-1A Case
If you’re considering an EB-1A petition, you probably already know it’s one of the most prestigious, and most complex, paths to a green...

Brian Lisonbee
Aug 136 min read
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Effective EB-1A Recommendation Letters: Guidelines for Selecting Your Recommenders and What to Include
EB-1A letters of recommendation (also called reference letters or expert opinion letters) are an integral part of the EB-1A petition....

Brian Lisonbee
Aug 65 min read
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Bringing Family Members to the United States on an Employment-Based Visa: What You Need to Know
Family members undoubtedly provide strength and emotional support to employment-based applicants who are juggling high-level...

Brian Lisonbee
Jul 313 min read
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What is myUSCIS?
myUSCIS provides a personalized account to help you navigate the immigration process. On myUSCIS, you will find: Up-to-date information...

Brian Lisonbee
Jul 233 min read
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Navigating National Interest: Proving National Interest in a Sea of Shifting Priorities
One constant in the United States is that every four years we face the possibility of a new president and that – at least every eight...

Brian Lisonbee
Jul 164 min read
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Common Visa Options for U.S. employers to hire foreign national employees
There are many visa options for U.S. employers to hire foreign national employees, each designed for specific roles, qualifications, or...

Brian Lisonbee
Jun 193 min read
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EB-1A Success Story for an AI/ ML Expert in E-commerce Platforms and Computing Devices
We are so happy to share that our client, a principal software engineer from India, prevailed in his EB-1A petition on the basis of his...

Brian Lisonbee
Sep 16, 20242 min read
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EB-1A Success Story for a Senior Solution Manager for the Life Sciences, Industrial Manufacturing, and Supply Chain Management
We are thrilled to announce that our client, an IT expert in software development of applied artificial intelligence (AI), machine...

Brian Lisonbee
Sep 16, 20242 min read
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EB-1A Success Story for a Healthcare Technology Expert Specializing in Development of ML/ AI-based Management Systems and Tools for Healthcare Operations, Data Management, and Legal Compliance
We are so happy to share that our client, a Healthcare Information Technologist from India, prevailed in her EB-1A petition. Our Client...

Brian Lisonbee
Aug 15, 20242 min read
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