How many citations are needed to get the EB-1 Green Card
You need at least 100 citations for EB-1 green card
Do you need more citations? how you can quickly increase your citation count?
Citation requirement for EB-1 visa and green card
One of the important questions for the EB-1 visa is what are the minimum citations for the EB-1 visa/green card? To know “how many citations for eb1” is enough, you should know that the determination of eligibility for the EB-1 green card category is contingent upon the specific category for which an application is submitted (EB-1A or EB-1B), in addition to the criteria that the applicant fulfills. However, in the case of the Extraordinary Ability and the Distinguished Researcher or Professor categories, the presence of greater citation numbers is advantageous for the EB-1 visa/green card.
Dependent versus independent citations
Before discussing the exact citation numbers needed for the EB-1A and EB-B categories, an important defenision should be explained: dependent citation. This distinction is critical for USCIS adjudicators because it separates local reputation from international impact.
Dependent citations occur when your work is cited by:
a) Yourself (self-citations).
b) Your co-authors, supervisors, or immediate colleagues.
c) Researchers within your own institution.
While these count towards your total, USCIS views them with scrutiny. They are often perceived as biased or "internal" praise rather than objective proof of your influence. Independent citations come from researchers who have never worked with you, do not know you personally, and are often based at other institutions or in other countries. These are the "gold standard" for EB-1A and EB-1B petitions.
USCIS officers look for independent citations to prove that your work has been utilized by the wider scientific community, not just your close circle. A high number of independent citations acts as objective evidence that your "original contributions" have triggered a sustained national or international trend. If 90% of your citations are dependent, USCIS may argue your impact is limited to your personal network, potentially leading to a denial.
How many citations for EB-1?
While there's no fixed numerical answer to how many citations for EB-1 or how many citations for EB1 green card are explicitly required by USCIS, citations are a crucial component, especially for the EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) and EB-1B (Outstanding Professors and Researchers) categories. For EB-1A, the USCIS evaluates each case individually, but generally, a significant number of citations, often 100 or more, can greatly strengthen your application, though approvals with fewer than 50, or even 8 citations for an EB1B, are also documented, particularly when coupled with other strong evidence. The citations required for EB1 success are not just about quantity; the quality and impact of those citations, such as being cited in prestigious journals or by leading experts, hold significant weight. To effectively receive a citation boost and increase your chances, focus on publishing high-quality, impactful research, optimizing your work for discoverability, and promoting it actively within your academic community.
If you are looking for solid strategies to increase your independent citations, read this blog.
Do you want to apply for an EB-1 green card but do not have enough citations? You can use our packages to increase your citations and h-index quickly for the EB-1 visa/green card.
