The evidence each route asks for
O-1 asks for a qualifying award, or at least 3 alternate forms of evidence.
Source: USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2, Part M, Chapter 4 (O-1 evidence), checked .
EB-1A asks you to meet at least 3 of the 10 criteria USCIS lists.
Source: USCIS, Employment-based immigration: first preference EB-1, checked .
A National Interest Waiver first requires qualifying for the underlying EB-2 classification.
Source: USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 6, Part F, Chapter 5 (advanced degree, exceptional ability, national interest waiver), checked .
The first of its three prongs is: Substantial merit and national importance of the endeavor.
Source: USCIS, Employment-based immigration: second preference EB-2, checked .
What filing costs
The Form I-129 filing fee for an O-1 petition on paper by a regular petitioner is $1,055, before additional fees.
Source: USCIS, Form G-1055 Fee Schedule (edition 10/26/26), checked .
The Form I-140 filing fee, which EB-1A and the National Interest Waiver use, is $715 on paper, before additional fees.
Source: USCIS, Form G-1055 Fee Schedule (edition 10/26/26), checked .
H-1B starts with a registration, and USCIS states its fee as $215 for the latest cap.
Source: USCIS, H-1B electronic registration process, checked .
How fast faster processing is
For most classifications USCIS takes action within 15 business days of a faster-processing request, or refunds the fee.
Source: USCIS, requesting faster processing with Form I-907, checked .
For a National Interest Waiver petition the time is 45 business days.
Source: USCIS, requesting faster processing with Form I-907, checked .
Changes and corrections
No changes since it was first published.
Editorial status
Written by Talent Visa Journey from the official pages cited above and approved by an editor. It has not been reviewed by a lawyer or a regulated immigration adviser.
How this page was made
An AI tool wrote the first draft from the official pages linked on this page. Automatic checks then compared each statement with the text of its official source. A person named above read the figures, dates and fees and approved the page before it was published. We check the sources again every week and note every change at the bottom. This page says what the official source says. It is not legal advice and cannot say what applies to your case.