Can I file an EB-1 petition myself without a job offer or employer sponsor?

EB-1 has three subcategories: extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, and certain multinational managers or executives. Only the extraordinary ability route allows you to file Form I-140 on your own behalf without an employer and without a permanent labor certification (PERM).

The outstanding professor or researcher and multinational manager or executive subcategories both require a US employer to file the petition for you. None of the three EB-1 subcategories require a labor certification, which is one of the main advantages of EB-1 over EB-2 and EB-3. Self-petitioning under extraordinary ability is attractive because it gives you control and flexibility, but the evidentiary bar is high.