What form do I file for EB-1 and what is the basic process?

Every EB-1 case starts with Form I-140. For extraordinary ability you can file it yourself; for outstanding professor/researcher and multinational manager/executive cases the US employer files it. No PERM labor certification is needed for any EB-1 subcategory.

Once the I-140 is approved and an immigrant visa number is available for your category and country of chargeability, you complete the green card either through adjustment of status (Form I-485) if you are in the US, or through consular processing at a US embassy or consulate abroad. The Visa Bulletin determines when you can take that final step, so EB-1 timelines combine the petition stage and the visa-availability stage.