For Researchers & Scientists
Your research
belongs where
it matters most.
The U.S. leads the world in research funding, lab infrastructure, and publication impact. Your work deserves the best environment to advance it.
300+
Researchers guided
97%
NIW approval rate
8 wks
Avg. NIW prep timeline
*Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
The Reality
Your publication record
is stronger than you think.
Every researcher we've worked with had the same thought: “I don't think I'm extraordinary enough.” Almost all of them were - they just didn't see their own work the way USCIS does.
Publications, citations, peer reviews, grants, fellowships, critical lab roles - it's not one big achievement. It's a pattern of documented recognition. That pattern is what gets approved.
You don't need a Nobel Prize
The NIW, O-1A, and EB-1A evaluate a body of evidence. Being in the top 10% of your field - not the top 0.001% - is what matters. Most postdocs qualify with the right framing.
You don't need an employer to sponsor you
The NIW and EB-1A are self-petition routes. No institution needs to file on your behalf. You control your own case.
Your research impact is your evidence
Citations, grant funding, peer review roles, institutional recognition - all of it builds your case. We know how to frame it for USCIS.
Researcher Profiles
Does this sound like you?
Your career stage and research impact determine which path makes sense. The right answer depends on where you are now.
PhD student finishing degree
You're wrapping up your dissertation and know you want to stay in the U.S. after graduation. The sooner you start building your case, the stronger it will be.
EB-2 NIW - start building nowPostdoc ready to transition
You've published, you've presented, you've built a record. The question isn't whether you qualify - it's which path gets you there fastest.
NIW or O-1A depending on profileIndustry researcher
You're doing cutting-edge work at a biotech, tech company, or national lab. Your research impact extends beyond academia - and that strengthens your case.
O-1A or EB-1A for top profilesAcademic professor
You have publications, citations, grants, and peer review experience. The EB-1B was designed for profiles like yours.
EB-1B - outstanding professor path
Your destination
“The best research happens
where the best minds gather.”
Not sure which profile fits you? We'll figure it out together.
Book a free 30-min call →Visa Options
Four paths. One is right
for your research profile.
We don't push every researcher toward the same visa. The right path depends on your publication record, career stage, and timeline.
A green card for researchers who advance the national interest.
Best for
Researchers and scientists whose work has substantial merit and national importance. No employer sponsorship required - you self-petition.
Why researchers choose this
The NIW waives the labor certification requirement. No employer needed. Available to all nationalities. A direct path to permanent residency.
Not ideal if
Your research impact is early-stage or primarily local in scope.
Timeline
8-12 wks prep + USCIS
The fastest path for researchers with documented extraordinary ability.
Best for
Scientists and researchers with publications, citations, awards, peer review experience, or critical role at a leading institution.
Why researchers choose this
No lottery. No employer cap. Decision in as little as 15 business days with premium processing. Strongest option when you need to move quickly.
Not ideal if
You don't yet have a strong publication record or documented recognition.
Timeline
6-8 wks prep + 15 days premium
Skip the visa cycle - go straight to permanent residency.
Best for
Researchers with national or international recognition: major publications, high citations, fellowships, major awards, or critical institutional roles.
Why researchers choose this
Self-petition. No employer required. Direct green card without labor certification.
Not ideal if
You need U.S. authorization quickly - EB-1A adjudication takes longer.
Timeline
6-10 wks prep + 2-6 mo.
Permanent residency for outstanding professors and researchers.
Best for
Academic researchers and professors with at least 3 years of experience and documented international recognition in their field.
Why researchers choose this
Employer-sponsored but strong - bypasses labor certification. Well-suited for academics with institutional backing.
Not ideal if
You don't have a U.S. employer willing to sponsor or less than 3 years of research experience.
Timeline
Employer-sponsored, varies
Quick Comparison
If you just want the quick version -
here's how researcher paths compare at a glance.
Path
Speed
Control
Green Card
Best for
EB-2 NIW
Medium
High
Self-petition, national interest research
O-1A
Fast
High
Fast-track, documented extraordinary ability
EB-1A
Medium
High
Top-tier researchers, self-petition GC
EB-1B
Medium
Medium
Outstanding professors with employer backing
H-1B
Slow
Low
Employer-sponsored, lottery required
There's no single “best” path - only the one that fits your record, your timeline, and your goals.
Not sure which option fits your situation?
Explore your options →Honest Assessment
When these paths may not be the right fit.
Some researchers are simply too early in their career. We check this for you - in your free call.
These options may not make sense if:
You have fewer than 2-3 publications or peer review roles
Your research is primarily local or institutional rather than national in scope
You don't yet have citations, grants, or documented recognition
You're looking for a guaranteed path with no minimum qualifications
If none of these paths make sense - we'll tell you that.
Book a free call →Researcher Stories
Researchers who made the move.
“I was told by two lawyers that my publication count wasn't enough for NIW. PassRight reframed the national interest argument around my research's real-world application - and we were approved.”
Yuki
Japan → Boston
Biomedical researcher, Harvard postdoc
15 publications, 400+ citations, and work on a novel cancer diagnostic tool. NIW approved based on national importance and substantial merit - no employer needed.
Why this path
Self-petition was critical - no U.S. employer was required, and the NIW gave her a direct green card path.
“I had a conference presentation at NeurIPS and four papers, but I didn't think that was enough. It was more than enough - it just needed to be framed correctly.”
Arjun
India → San Francisco
AI/ML researcher, industry lab
NeurIPS paper, Google Scholar citations, peer review for two top-tier journals, and a critical researcher role at an AI lab. O-1A approved with premium processing.
Why this path
Speed mattered - O-1A with premium processing delivered a result faster than any alternative.
“Seven years of academic work, two grants, a Nature publication - and I still didn't think I was 'extraordinary.' The EB-1B was built for exactly my profile.”
Fatima
Morocco → New York
Genetics professor, research university
Associate professor with 3 NSF grants, 40+ publications, 1200+ citations, and international conference keynotes. EB-1B approved through university sponsorship.
Why this path
University was willing to sponsor and her publication record was exactly what EB-1B requires.
Why PassRight
Most immigration firms see a CV and know nothing about h-index, impact factors, or how to frame a NIW argument around national importance. We do. We speak your language.
We understand research metrics
H-index, citation counts, journal impact factors, NSF/NIH grant criteria - we know how to translate your academic record into a compelling immigration case.
97% NIW approval rate
Our NIW cases don't just get filed - they get approved. We don't take cases we don't believe in.
Speed built for OPT deadlines
We know your clock is ticking. Our process is built to move efficiently when you're working against STEM OPT timelines or postdoc contract endings.
300+ researchers guided
PhDs, postdocs, industry researchers, and professors across STEM fields. We know what NIW approvals look like and how to build toward them.
Honest about readiness
If your record isn't ready for NIW or O-1A, we tell you - and tell you what would change that. No wasted retainers, no false timelines.
Your attorney stays on your case
No bait-and-switch to a junior associate. The attorney who reviews your profile builds your case - from first call to final approval.
“They understood my research field. They knew what a high-impact journal was and why my peer review record mattered. That level of comprehension changed everything.”
Yuki
Biomedical researcher - Tokyo → Boston
EB-2 NIW approved - no RFE
The Process
8-12 weeks.
Built around your lab schedule.
We know you can't drop everything for immigration paperwork. Our process is structured so you can run it alongside your research - with 4-6 hours of your time total.
Attorney-led from day one.
Not a paralegal. Not a template. Your case.
Free strategy call
We review your publication record, career stage, and timeline - and tell you honestly which paths make sense and what they require.
Attorney case review
Your attorney maps your research achievements against NIW or O-1A criteria and designs a strategy before any documents are collected.
Evidence build
We guide you through collecting exactly what's needed - recommendation letters, citation evidence, national importance framing. Every item serves a purpose.
Filing & follow-through
Your petition is submitted. We stay with you through RFEs, USCIS correspondence, and all the way to your approval.
Recommended Reading
Worth knowing.
Digital Evidence for O-1A and EB-1A Petitions in 2026: How AI, Open-Source Work, and Technical Impact Can Support Extraordinary Ability Cases
Read more →
EB 1AEB-1A and EB-2 NIW: Filing Both When You Qualify for Both
Read more →
O 1Crafting Independent Recognition: How to Secure Awards, Media Coverage, and Peer Judging for O-1A and EB-1A
Read more →
O 1Evidence Portfolios for AI and Open-Source Talent: Meeting 2026 Extraordinary Ability Standards
Read more →
The move is possible
Your research belongs in America.
Let's make it happen.
Book a free 30-minute strategy call. We'll review your publication record, tell you which paths make sense, and give you an honest assessment - including if we think you're not ready yet.
No commitment. No sales pressure. Just a real conversation about your situation.
300+
Researchers guided
97%
NIW approval rate
8 wks
Avg. NIW prep timeline