EB-1A 'Einstein Visa' Applications Triple Amid H-1B Constraints
Demand for the EB-1A visa, often called the "Einstein visa," has skyrocketed across the United States. Employers and foreign professionals are turning to this permanent residency option as they face mounting constraints within the popular H-1B program. This significant increase comes during a period of growing backlogs for employment-based visas. Highly skilled applicants are now actively seeking routes to permanent residency that do not require sponsorship from an employer.
Backlogs and Rising Demand Reshape Visa Choices
Federal data reveals a dramatic rise in EB-1A petitions. Over just four years, these applications have tripled in number. This surge occurs even as approval rates have declined under stricter government scrutiny. The trend has captured the attention of immigration authorities and investigators. They note that a parallel market promising to enhance applicant credentials has expanded alongside legitimate applications.
Recent data from US Citizenship and Immigration Services, cited by CBS News, illustrates this sharp climb. Between April and June 2025, nearly 7,500 EB-1A applications were filed. This figure compares with about 2,500 applications in the final quarter of 2021. During this same period, approval rates fell significantly. They dropped from approximately 67 percent to roughly 50 percent. This decline reflects intensified reviews as overall demand now outpaces the annual visa quotas.
Federal law caps the total number of employment-based visas at 140,000 each year. No more than 7 percent of these visas can go to nationals from any single country. This restriction has created prolonged and frustrating waits for applicants from India and China. Immigration attorney Loren Locke explained the situation to CBS News. He stated that the pressure has placed many applicants in "a super untenable situation." This environment increases desperation and encourages risk-taking among hopeful immigrants.
Credential Market Expands Under Scrutiny
The visa application surge has coincided with the growth of a concerning industry. Numerous services now offer résumé and profile enhancement specifically for visa hopefuls. Some consultants openly advertise ghostwritten academic papers, paid citations, or even purchasable awards. A former USCIS official spoke with CBS News about this trend. The official noted that applicants with sufficient resources could essentially "buy your evidence and fabricate those things." He added that reviewers have identified such fabricated submissions during the application process.
CBS News investigators identified advertisements on platforms like Telegram, Facebook, and WhatsApp groups. These ads specifically target individuals hoping to secure visas, particularly those in science and technology fields. Some brokers told the news outlet that clients pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for authorship on papers or for citations. One seller, in a conversation with CBS News, acknowledged that the practice was "not ethical for EB-1" applications. However, this seller denied any personal wrongdoing.
USCIS Response and Enforcement Measures
USCIS officials have responded to these challenges. They told CBS News the agency has increased screening procedures and launched a new vetting center. These measures aim to strengthen the review of all applications. Agency spokesperson Matthew Tragesser linked the actions to broader policy goals. He said the measures support President Trump's commitment to protect American jobs. Tragesser also issued a stern warning, stating that anyone submitting fake evidence "will be found out and face the consequences."
The agency has issued additional warnings. It stated that visas can be revoked if fraud is uncovered at a later date. Misrepresentation on applications may also lead to a finding of inadmissibility to the United States. USCIS director Joseph Edlow was direct in an interview with CBS News. He declared that the agency is "declaring war on fraud." Officials indicated that some previously approved EB-1A cases may face re-examination. This is part of regulatory updates seeking to clarify evidentiary standards for the visa category.
These intensified reviews will apply across various immigration benefit categories. Officials emphasized this point as the EB-1A continues to represent only a small share of total petitions processed nationwide. However, the combination of sustained application growth and heightened oversight marks a significant shift in the US immigration landscape for highly skilled professionals.
