EB1 – Invited Memberships

Video Transcript – EB1 Green Card – Membership

Welcome to our EB-1 Green Card Video Presentation Series.
In this session, we’ll focus on the Invited Membership category.
Official Definition
The official requirement is as follows:

(ii) Documentation of the alien’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.
In simpler terms, this category pertains to elite memberships that recognize exceptional achievements in your field. These are not open to everyone and cannot be obtained simply by paying dues or passing an exam.

Many memberships—such as state bar associations for attorneys, guilds for actors, or associations for professionals in medicine, accounting, or engineering—are based on meeting basic eligibility criteria like exams or licensing requirements. While prestigious, these memberships alone typically do not meet the EB-1 requirements because they don’t demonstrate extraordinary ability.

Memberships in the entertainment industry often do not meet the requirements for this category. For instance, actors in America must join the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) to work on certain projects and receive union rates. To qualify for a SAG card, actors need to participate in various minor projects and accumulate enough credits to meet the membership criteria.

Similarly, in England, actors are required to obtain an Equity card, which involves completing specific projects to gain eligibility. However, the level of achievement needed to secure either a SAG or Equity card is relatively minimal and does not demonstrate extraordinary ability, which is the key standard for this category.

The types of memberships U.S. Immigration is looking for are highly prestigious and exclusive memberships. These memberships can only be joined through special invitations, peer review recommendations, or recognition of outstanding achievements in the field. This standard goes well beyond merely passing an exam or completing minimal service hours.

Many guilds and associations are exceptionally difficult to join, but membership often brings national and international recognition that you can claim. For instance, the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is a highly esteemed guild, and only a select few cinematographers earn the privilege of adding the coveted “ASC” designation after their names. Similarly, the British Society of Cinematographers (BSC) holds a comparable level of prestige.

In some organizations, there are multiple membership levels. While lower levels may be dues-based, higher levels are often invitation-only or require significant achievements. U.S. Immigration evaluates your membership level and may review the organization’s by-laws to confirm whether it is based on extraordinary contributions.

Surprisingly, some highly qualified individuals may not have sought elite memberships despite their eligibility. In some cases, we’ve guided clients to apply for prestigious memberships by presenting their work, supported by letters from industry peers. These memberships can significantly strengthen an EB-1 application.

We hope you found this presentation on the Invited Membership category insightful. In our next session, we’ll explore the Published Material About You category.

Check out these EB-1 Green Card categories below. If you can satisfy three categories, then you may just qualify for your Green Card. Contact us for further guidance. Good luck.

Checkout these EB1 green card categories below. If you can satisfy three categories, then you may just qualify for your green card. Good luck.

Chris M. Ingram, a U.S. Immigration Attorney, is originally from Northampton, England. He earned his BA (Hons) in Law from De Montfort University, Leicester, UK, in 1994. In 1996, he completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (PGDLP) at De Montfort School of Law, followed by a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Huddersfield University, UK, in 1998. After relocating to the United States, Chris was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2003 and has been a proud member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) since 2004.

Having experienced the U.S. immigration process firsthand with his wife and three children, Chris M. Ingram founded his law firm with a mission to ensure that every client receives the best possible immigration experience. He recognized the need for accessible and comprehensive immigration education, leading him to develop one of the most informative online platforms available today.

The Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram website now features:

1. Over 1,000 pages of immigration resources
2. Hundreds of educational videos on visa and green card options
3. Client success stories and testimonials to inspire new applicants

We continually update and expand our content to keep visitors informed about the latest immigration policies, visa options, and legal strategies.

Chris M. Ingram strongly believes that every potential client deserves a free consultation. This allows individuals to speak personally and confidentially with an immigration specialist about their visa, work permit, or green card options. Our goal is to provide the guidance and expertise needed to help you achieve your American Dream.
We’re delighted you’ve found us, and we look forward to helping you make your immigration journey a reality. You’ve come to the right place!

All videos and content created by the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. If you require specific guidance regarding your immigration case, please contact our office for personalized legal assistance.
Additionally, all images used on our website and in our videos are licensed stock images for illustrative purposes only. They do not depict actual clients or staff members unless otherwise noted