The EB-1A is a self-petition for people of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, business, or athletics. Most STEM PhDs don't know if they qualify. Most attorneys will tell them — for $15,000 and six months of work. We start with a 90-minute credential audit.
Most STEM PhDs qualify for more criteria than they realize. The problem isn't the evidence — it's knowing how to frame and present it. Sara met 5 criteria in her petition. Below is the full list, with the five she used highlighted.
Nationally or internationally recognized awards — fellowships, honors, competitive grants, named prizes.
Membership in professional associations where selection is based on demonstrated excellence — judged by recognized experts.
Peer-reviewed articles, significant press coverage, or media about you and your work in major publications.
Serving as a peer reviewer, panel juror, committee member, or conference reviewer — documented roles where you evaluated others' work.
Research that has been adopted, cited, influenced policy, or demonstrably advanced the field beyond your institution.
Peer-reviewed publications in recognized journals or major trade publications — with citation impact as supporting evidence.
More common in arts — but applies to technical demos, patents, and public presentations in some interpretations.
Senior or critical leadership roles in recognized institutions — national labs, government agencies, top industry organizations.
Documented compensation significantly above the norm for comparable positions in your field — often via offer letters, W-2s, or surveys.
Primarily applicable to performing artists. Rarely relevant to STEM PhDs.
The fastest way to find out if you qualify — before you spend months or thousands of dollars on a petition. In 90 minutes, we go through your credentials against USCIS criteria and tell you exactly where you stand.
Most clients leave with more clarity than they've had in years. Some leave knowing they're ready to file. A few learn they need another 12–18 months of career development — and exactly what to focus on.
You've done the credential audit and you know you're ready. Now the work is building the actual petition — identifying the strongest criteria, structuring the evidence, and writing a narrative that holds together under USCIS scrutiny.
Sara's petition is on GitHub. Yours will be written for your credentials, your field, and your story.
A 6-week group program for PhDs who want structured guidance through the EB-1A process — peer learning, accountability, and direct access to Sara — at a fraction of the 1:1 cost.
Sara's full petition — original filing and RFE response — is publicly available on GitHub at github.com/sarasultanphd/eb1a. Read the actual evidence. See how criteria were framed. Understand what "extraordinary ability" looks like in practice, not in theory.
I'd been sitting on my research record for two years, convinced I didn't qualify. One call with Sara and I realized I had met three criteria — and probably a fourth. We filed six months later.
The credential audit alone was worth it. Sara didn't just tell me I qualified — she showed me which evidence was strongest, which was weak, and what I needed to document before filing. That clarity saved me from filing prematurely.
I got an RFE on my first filing attempt — before I knew about Coaching Alley. After two sessions with Sara, I understood exactly what USCIS was asking for and how to respond. The petition was approved three months later.
The credential audit is 90 minutes. You'll leave knowing whether you qualify, which criteria are your strongest, and what to do next — whether that's filing now or preparing for 12 months.
Not a law firm · No legal advice · Coaching and credential strategy only