Talked to someone in IT consulting last week. In general, I’ve been getting a lot more consulting clients who are reaching out because they want to apply for EB-2 NIW or EB-1A. Many are senior leaders with years of experience and countless impressive contributions to their field, which means they may have the profile for EB-2 NIW or EB-1A.

Here’s a bit of backstory on how I came to develop a different perspective on EB-1As. Not saying that it’s the only perspective to take, but it’s one I’m comfortable with.

The stronger your EB-1A profile, the less likely you are to get denied because of USCIS discretion.

If you’re Rest of World (born anywhere except India or China), you should still be looking at EB-1A. That is, if you’re already qualified for EB-1A.

Showing the “leading or critical role” criterion for EB-1A is about so much more than job title. Especially if you don’t have a title that squarely puts you in the top 1% of professionals.

Got an EB-1A denial a few weeks ago. Turns out, the USCIS officer did not even bother to read the letter we had submitted.

A good rule of thumb for EB-1A when it comes to extraordinary ability and a strong case? Being in the top 1% of something. Or even top 10% works sometimes.

EB-1A’s extraordinary standard does not require that you be in the top 1% of the broader field to which you belong.

When evaluating EB-1A memberships, USCIS asks that applicants show that the organizations they use as evidence of meeting the memberships criterion mention “outstanding achievement” as a membership requirement.

If you’re a junior software engineer who is serious about EB-1A, here are a few pathways to consider.

Extraordinary ability in the EB-1A does not mean you need have won a Nobel Prize, a Pulitzer or an Oscar.