Extraordinary talent | I.S. Law Firm

Secure Your U.S. Green Card Through Your Achievements.

Not an Employer's Sponsorship.

You've published. You've been cited. You've won awards. You've built things. Let's translate that into a green card strategy.

Upload my CV for an eligibility evaluation

Confidential One-on-One Strategy Session

law@islawfirm.com

Also available on WhatsApp

Who Qualifies for Extraordinary Ability or a National Interest Waiver?

Check the boxes that apply. Three or more is a strong signal — but the strategy session will tell you exactly where you stand, even if you're not sure yet.

Peer-reviewed publications in your field

Citations by other researchers or practitioners

Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement

Critical employment at distinguished organizations

Original contributions of major significance to your field

Judging the work of others - grant panels, peer review, competitions

High salary relative to peers in your field

Awards or prizes for excellence

Even if you're unsure, the evaluation will tell you exactly where you stand — and what to build toward if you're not quite there yet.

Why this matters more than you think

Your status — and your future — is controlled by your employer. One layoff, one restructuring, one difficult manager changes everything.

H-1B dependency

PERM backlogs

EB-2/EB-3 from India run 20+ years. The NIW bypasses the labor market test entirely.

O-1 portability

You can change jobs, go independent, or consult — without starting over.

Don't stay tied down

An employer-controlled green card process ties you to a single job and delays your career for years.

O-1A/O-1B vs. EB-1A vs. EB-2 NIW — at a glance

Nonimmigrant

O-1A / O-1B

For individuals of extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, athletics, arts, or motion picture/TV industry. Employer or agent petition required; renewable annually; strong portability between roles.

Green Card

EB-1A Extraordinary Ability

Self-petition available; no employer or labor certification required. Requires meeting at least 3 of 10 USCIS criteria, or a single major, internationally recognized award.

Green Card

EB-2 National Interest Waiver

Self-petition available; bypasses the labor market test (PERM) entirely. Requires demonstrating your work has substantial merit and national importance.

Why petitioners choose I.S. Law Firm

Evidence Architecture

The difference between approval and denial is rarely about credentials — it's about how they're framed and presented. We build petitions that tell the complete story of your impact.

Backlog Strategy

We design a multi-track strategy: O-1 status now, EB-1A or NIW petition in parallel, so you're never without options.

Backlog Strategy

We design a multi-track strategy: O-1 status now, EB-1A or NIW petition in parallel, so you're never without options.

Your counsel

Ismail Shahtakhtinski, Esq.

Founder & Managing Attorney

Extensive experience handling extraordinary ability and national interest cases for researchers, physicians, engineers, and entrepreneurs — including overcoming complex Requests for Evidence by presenting scholarly and professional accomplishments in terms USCIS adjudicators understand.

Virginia State Bar · New York State Bar · AILA Member

From CV to approval

STEP 1

Direct CV Assessment

The principal attorney personally reviews your achievements against USCIS standards, typically within 48 hours.

STEP 2

Evidence Mapping & Letter Strategy

We map your evidence — publications, awards, judging, citations — and draft targeted recommendation letters.

STEP 3

Petition Build & Filing

We draft a detailed legal brief demonstrating how your achievements meet the statutory requirements, then file and respond to any RFE.

Real outcomes

“EB-2 NIW approved in 45 days. They took 120 citations and a messy CV and turned it into a petition that told a clear story.”

— AI Systems Engineer, EB-2 NIW

“I had no idea I qualified for EB-1A until the evaluation. The team built the evidence package I didn't know I had.”

— Biomedical Researcher, EB-1A

“O-1 approved while my EB-1A was still in preparation — I never had a gap in status.”

— Postdoctoral Researcher, O-1A → EB-1A

Frequently asked questions

What qualifies as 'extraordinary ability'?

USCIS requires meeting at least 3 of 10 specific criteria — such as awards, publications, citations, or high salary — or a single major internationally recognized award, like a Nobel Prize.

EB-1A vs. EB-2 NIW — which is right for me?

EB-1A generally suits candidates with a strong, decorated track record; NIW suits candidates whose work has clear national importance but a thinner award history. We assess both during your evaluation.

Can I qualify for an EB-2 NIW with a low citation count?

Yes — citation count is one factor among several. National importance and the substantial merit of your work matter just as much.

What constitutes an independent recommender?

Someone who can speak credibly to your work's impact without a direct financial or close personal interest in your petition's outcome — often a senior colleague, collaborator, or expert in your field.

Can I self-petition without my employer knowing?

Yes. EB-1A and EB-2 NIW are self-petitions — no employer involvement or knowledge is required.

What's the realistic timeline for backlogged applicants?

We typically design a parallel strategy: O-1 nonimmigrant status to remove urgency now, alongside an EB-1A or NIW green card petition filed in parallel.

Your achievements should speak for themselves

Upload your CV. The principal attorney reviews it personally — no algorithms, no junior screening.

Prefer to call or message? (703) 527-1779 · Also available on WhatsApp · law@islawfirm.com

We respond within 2 business days.