Exceptional Individuals with extraordinary or exceptional ability in their field of work, may be eligible for an expedited process without labor certification, and in some cases, without an employer-sponsor.
The petitioner must establish "extraordinary ability" through evidence consisting of receipt of a major, internationally recognized award (i.e.: Nobel Prize) or at least three of the following types of evidence:
(1)Documentation of the alien's receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor;
(2) Documentation of the alien's membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought, which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts in their disciplines or fields;
(3) Published material about the alien, in any language, provided it has been translated into English, in professional or major trade publications or major newspapers about the alien; this evidence must include the title, date, and author of the material;
(4) Evidence of the alien's participation, either individually or on a panel, as a judge of the work of others in the same or an allied field of specialization for which classification is sought;
(5) Evidence of the alien's original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field;
(6) Evidence of the alien's authorship of scholarly articles in the field, in professional or major trade publications or other major media;
(7) Evidence of the display of the alien's work in the field at artistic exhibitions or showcases;
(8) Evidence that the alien has performed in a leading or critical role for organizations or establishments that have a distinguished reputation;
(9) Evidence that the alien has commanded a high salary or other significantly high remuneration for services, in relation to others in the field; or
(10) Evidence of commercial successes in the performing arts, as shown by box office receipts, or record, cassette, compact disk, or video sales
Asylum may be granted to people who are arriving in or already physically present in the United States. To apply for asylum in the United States, you may ask for asylum at a port-of-entry (airport, seaport, or border crossing), or file
Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, at the appropriate Service Center within one year of your arrival in the United States. You may apply for asylum regardless of your immigration status, whether you are in the United States legally or illegally.
