EB1A in 2026: Former USCIS Officer Explains What Actually Gets Approved

EB1A in 2026 has changed quite a bit. Which is why a former USCIS officer Evan J Law. explains how immigration officers review EB1A green card petitions, and what actually gets approved and what truly determines whether a case gets approved or denied. Many applicants believe that meeting 3 out of the 10 EB1A criteria guarantees approval, but the real decision happens during the final merits determination, where officers assess whether the applicant has truly risen to the top of their field and demonstrated sustained acclaim. We also discuss how EB2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) petitions are evaluated and why some professionals use EB2 NIW or O1 visas as stepping stones toward EB1A. In this conversation, we break down what immigration officers actually look for — including recommendation letters, salary benchmarks, external recognition, and industry impact. Topics covered in this video: 🔹How USCIS evaluates EB1A and EB2 NIW petitions 🔹The EB1A final merits determination 🔹Internal vs external recognition 🔹Recommendation letters that actually work 🔹How high salary criteria is evaluated 🔹Why some O1 or EB2 NIW holders still get denied EB1A 🔹The strategy of using EB2 NIW as a stepping stone to EB1A 🔹The recent Kazarian ruling challenge and its impact on EB1A cases If you’re a professional in tech, research, academia, marketing, or leadership roles considering the EB1A extraordinary ability visa or EB2 NIW green card, this video will help you understand which pathway might be right for you in 2026. 🎓Guest: Evan J. Law, Immigration Attorney at Manifest Law 📌 Book a consultation with Manifest Law with code itsokyaar to get $250 off your visa category filing: https://manifestlaw.com/itsokyaar 🌐 More resources: https://manifestlaw.com/itsokyaar This video is a must-watch for immigrants, NRIs, employers, and international families preparing for the new immigration policies under the EB2NIW & EB1A We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice — our goal is to bring you resources, expert insights, and the right questions to ask your attorney. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:20 Meet the Former USCIS Officer 00:46 Why EB1A, EB2 NIW & O1 Matter in 2026 01:58 EB1A Final Merits Determination 04:16 Internal vs External Recognition 06:07 Big Tech vs Smaller Companies (EB1A) 08:16 Strong Recommendation Letters 10:55 Why EB1A Applications Get RFEs 12:30 Specialist vs Generalist Strategy 14:28 O1 & EB2 NIW as Stepping Stones 17:25 Why EB1A Gets Denied Sometimes 19:11 High Salary Criteria Explained 21:19 Sustained Acclaim & Leadership Roles 23:16 Kazarian Rule & Court Ruling 24:40 Should You Apply for EB1A in 2026? .................................................................................. 🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this video to help others make an informed decision. 👇🏻Playlists You Should Check: 👉🏻 Immigration News    • Work Without EAD for H4 Visa - H4 Work Aut...   👉🏻 The Desi Way    • Real Estate/ India vs US/ Career/ Insuranc...   👉🏻 Everything About H1B Visa    • Everything About H1B Visa in the US   👉🏻 US Visas Simplified    • US visas simplified   👉🏻 The Immigrant Career Corner    • Immigrant Career Corner  - Job Search, Car...   👉🏻 A Better Life on Dependent Visa    • Working without H4 EAD in USA - Volunteeri...   👉🏻 Life in USA - Funny Videos    • Biggest Cultural Shocks in USA - 2023 | Li...   👉🏻 Independent Web Series    • Indian Food vs American Food | Maggi vs Ramen   ============================ 📢 Disclaimer: It’s Ok Yaar is a content platform for South Asian Immigrants aiming to educate, entertain, and empower you. We are not immigration lawyers. This content is for educational purposes only, based on research and public sources. Please consult a qualified immigration lawyer before making any decisions. ============================ Connect with us: 🌐 Website: https://www.itsokyaar.com/ 💻 Instagram:   / itsokyaaar   📱 TikTok:   / itsokyaaar   💬 Facebook:   / itsokyaar   ============================