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USA
August 1, 2024

«High Salary» – Criteria for the U.S. EB-1 Visa

The EB-1A visa is designed for individuals with extraordinary abilities in science, art, education, business, or athletics. To qualify, applicants must meet at least three out of ten specific criteria. One key criteria is demonstrating a high salary of the applicant.

USCIS emphasizes that to meet this criteria for the EB-1 visa, you need to provide evidence that your annual  remuneration significantly exceeds the average salary in your professional field. This means you must not only show your earnings but also compare them to the standard salary in your field and region.

Proving a High Salary

To prove you meet the high salary criteria for the EB-1 visa, you can provide the following documents:

  • Tax returns (e.g., W-2 or 1099 forms in the U.S.).
  • Income statements from your employer.
  • Employment contracts showing salary details.
  • Bank statements.

Bonuses, awards, and monetary prizes may also count toward your total compensation.

Comparison with Average Salary


Based on our clients' experience, we recommend demonstrating that your income exceeds 90% of the median salary in your field to strengthen your case for meeting the high salary criteria. It’s recommended to use data from at least two independent sources, such as:

  • Statistical agencies (both government and commercial).
  • Job search companies and websites.

These can be CareerOneStop, Salary Expert, PayScale.com, GlassDoor, Levels.fyi, and the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLCDC).

You can also support this criteria with articles and salary rankings from reputable media outlets, or screenshots of job postings from major agencies or job search websites showing salary ranges in your field.

Important Points
  • Context
    It’s essential to provide comparable data for the same calendar year (preferably within the last three to five years). It’s helpful to present the amounts in both local currency and U.S. dollars, using the same exchange rate throughout.
  • Letters from employers
    Letters from employers confirming your high salary and explaining why your role merits such compensation can strengthen your case. These letters should be backed by objective evidence of your role and achievements.
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