H-1B Alternative Decision Checklist

Cap-exempt H-1B

• Are you open to a university, teaching hospital, or research nonprofit role?
• Does your field have an academic or clinical research equivalent?
• Could you hold a concurrent for-profit role alongside it?

O-1 extraordinary ability

• Do you have awards, press, or speaking history?
• Can you source six or more independent recommendation letters?
• Are you paid above the median for your role and market?

EB-2 NIW self-petition

• Can you describe an endeavor with national importance in one page?
• Do you have publications, patents, or measurable outcomes?
• Is your priority date category current enough for your country of birth?

Day 1 CPT graduate study

• Do you need continued work authorization within the next six months?
• Is your employer comfortable with a CPT-based arrangement?
• Can you commit to in-person session requirements each term?

Scoring