Extraordinary ability means a level of expertise indicating the applicant has is one of that small percentage who has risen to the very top of his or her field of endeavor, and that he or she will be coming to the United States to continue work in the area of expertise. The petition must also be accompanied by evidence that the applicant has sustained national or international acclaim and that his or her achievements have been recognized in the field of the applicant's expertise. Such evidence must include evidence of a one-time achievement (that is, a major, international recognized award such as Nobel Prize, Oscar or Emmy), or at least three of the following:

• Documentation of applicant's receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor;
• Documentation of applicant's membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought, which require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts in their disciplines or fields;
• Published material about the applicant in professional or major trade publications or other major media, relating to the applicant's work in the field for which classification is sought. Such evidence shall include the title, date, and author of the material, and any necessary translation;
• Evidence of applicant's participation, either individually or on a panel, as a judge of the work of others in the same or an allied field of specification for which classification is sought;
• Evidence of applicant's original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field;
• Evidence of applicant's authorship of scholarly articles in the field, in professional or major trade publications or other major media;
• Evidence of the display of applicant's work in the field at artistic exhibitions or showcases;
• Evidence that applicant has performed in a leading or critical role for organizations or establishments that have a distinguished reputation;
• Evidence that applicant has commanded a high salary or other significantly high remuneration for services, in relation to others in the field; or
• Evidence of applicant's commercial successes in the performing arts, as shown by box office receipts or record, cassette, compact disk, or video sales.

If the above standards do not readily apply to the applicant's occupation, he or she may submit comparable evidence to establish eligibility. A major advantage of this category is that an employer or sponsor is not required to file the petition. In other words, the applicant may file a petition on his or her own behalf.