From F-1 to H-1B to EB-1A: How I Secured a Green Card Without an RFE

8 min read6 days ago

Hello! I’m Summit Singh Thakur, and I’m here to walk you through my journey from an F-1 student visa to an H-1B work visa, and ultimately to securing an EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Card — approved without a Request for Evidence (RFE), even under the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies. The EB-1A is one of the most challenging U.S. immigration categories to qualify for, but with the right strategy, persistence, and documentation, I self-petitioned and succeeded.

This isn’t just my story — it’s a detailed roadmap for anyone in tech, AI, startups, or cloud computing looking to navigate the EB-1A process with confidence. I’ll share how I built my case, the lessons I learned, and resources to help you along the way. Let’s dive in!

The Journey

Phase 1: F-1 Student at Drexel University

At 19, I moved from Jabalpur, India, to the U.S. to pursue a B.S. in Computer Science at Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. Those early years were about laying a technical foundation and seizing every opportunity. I became a STAR Scholar, conducting research in AI and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). I co-founded TruckBux, a food tech startup that later raised over $6 million in venture funding. I also competed in hackathons — winning awards through Major League Hacking (MLH) — and secured research grants, building a portfolio of early publications and recognitions.

Insight: If you’re on an F-1 visa, don’t underestimate small wins. Hackathons, research papers, or startup projects aren’t just resume boosters — they’re future EB-1A evidence.

Phase 2: H-1B at Oracle & Scaling Startups

After graduating, I joined Oracle as a Software Engineer on the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) team. I specialized in AI-driven cloud automation and DevOps, developing tools that saved enterprise clients millions in operational costs — impact I’d later highlight in my petition. Beyond Oracle, I advised AI and cloud startups, judged international awards and hackathons, and joined prestigious organizations such as CTA, BCS, and YC Startup School. These weren’t just career moves — they were strategic steps toward EB-1A eligibility.

Insight: Your H-1B years are a proving ground. Take on leadership roles, contribute to high-impact projects, and gain visibility — these naturally align with EB-1A criteria.

Phase 3: Self-Petitioning for EB-1A

By 2024, I was ready to make my move. I analyzed the EB-1A criteria, gathered compelling evidence, and secured five strong recommendation letters from professors, startup founders, and tech executives. Initially, I researched and prepped solo, but I later partnered with Deel (Legalpad) to polish and file my petition. The result? Approved without an RFE — a rare win under heightened scrutiny.

Insight: EB-1A is all about self-petitioning power. You don’t need an employer sponsor — just a meticulously crafted case and the confidence to go for it.

Breaking Down the EB-1A: How I Built My Case

To qualify for EB-1A, you must satisfy at least 3 of the 10 USCIS criteria for “extraordinary ability.” Here’s what I used and how I proved it:

1. Judging Others’ Work

What I Did: I was invited to judge events like MLH hackathons (e.g., DragonHacks) after establishing myself in tech through years of work and contributions. These opportunities came from my reputation in the field — not something you can just jump into without a track record. Judging’s a solid EB-1A criterion if you’ve already built expertise, though it’s not the first route I’d recommend for everyone.
How I Proved It: I collected official emails from organizers, event confirmations, and screenshots of judging assignments with my name listed. USCIS insists on concrete evidence — vague or unverified claims won’t cut it, so documentation is critical.

2. Membership in Distinguished Organizations

What I Contributed: I became an active member of BCS (British Computer Society), CTA (Consumer Technology Association), and YC Startup School — organizations known for their high standards and selective criteria. These memberships reflected my growing role in tech and innovation.
How I Demonstrated It: I provided acceptance letters, membership receipts, and details on each group’s exclusivity (e.g., “BCS recognizes significant professional achievements in computing”). This showed USCIS my standing among peers in the field.

3. Original Contributions of Major Significance

What I Contributed: Developed AI-driven cloud automation at Oracle, optimizing infrastructure for global enterprises; led TruckBux’s tech strategy, securing $6 million in funding and partnerships with DoorDash and Postmates.
How I Demonstrated It: Included client testimonials, funding announcements, media coverage, and project documentation tying my work to measurable impact.

4. Published Work & Media Coverage

What I Did: Authored articles for Medium, LinkedIn, and AI industry blogs; TruckBux earned mentions in tech and business outlets.
How I Proved It: Collected PDFs of articles, screenshots of media mentions, and links — every piece of visibility strengthens your case.

5. High Salary & Industry Impact

What I Did: Earned competitive compensation at Oracle (Stocks/Bonuses), supplemented by equity in TruckBux.
How I Proved It: Provided pay stubs, offer letters, and market salary data to demonstrate I outpaced industry norms.

Key Takeaway: You don’t need all 10 criteria — just 3 to 5 robust ones, backed by airtight evidence.

Step-by-Step EB-1A Strategy

Here’s the exact playbook I followed:

Self-Assessment
I studied the USCIS criteria and created a spreadsheet listing each one. For every criterion, I asked, “Can I prove this?” If not, I identified gaps — like needing more judging roles — and filled them.
Expert Recommendation Letters
Secured five letters from credible sources: professors, startup founders, and tech executives. I drafted templates with specific examples (e.g., “Summit’s AI tool saved $2M at Oracle”) and let them refine and sign. Specificity is critical — vague praise won’t cut it.
Evidence Collection
Organized everything in Notion and Google Drive: folders for work history, awards, media, memberships, and judging proof. I even dug up old hackathon certificates and media mentions I’d overlooked.
Legal Partnership
Started solo but teamed up with Deel (Legalpad) for the final push. They reviewed my case, ensured compliance, and filed it. Their tech-savvy approach made a difference.

Pro Tip: Start with a DIY assessment, but get legal help to polish it — especially if you’re in tech or startups.

EB-1A Document Checklist: Your Blueprint

Here’s what you’ll need to prepare, based on my experience:

Personal Documents: Passport, I-94, visa stamps (F-1, H-1B), I-20s, I-797s.
Work History: Resume, LinkedIn Profile PDF, professional certifications, offer letters, employment verification, pay stubs.
Expert Letters: 3–5 from industry leaders — professors, execs, founders — with detailed examples of your impact. (DM me for expert letters!)
Awards: Hackathon wins, tech recognitions, certificates (include dates and proof), badges/nominations received at your work (emails/PDFs).
Publications: Articles, research papers, media mentions — save PDFs and links.
Memberships: Acceptance letters, receipts, and org criteria (e.g., “ACM requires X years of experience”).
Judging: Event invites, emails, screenshots of your name on judge lists.
Impact: Patents, funding docs (e.g., TruckBux’s $6M raise), project slides, powerpoint presentations, Crunchbase or Wellfound profiles, client letters, GitHub/Bitbucket commits (PDFs).

Lessons Learned: What I Wish I Knew Earlier

What Worked

Early Foundation: F-1 research and TruckBux wins gave me a head start.
Obsessive Documentation: Saved every email, certificate, and article — USCIS loves proof.
Late Networking: Joined EB-1A Discord and Slack groups for last-minute insights — should’ve done it sooner.

What I’d Change

Apply Sooner: I waited, thinking I needed more experience. If you’ve got 3 criteria, don’t delay.
Legal Help Early: Prepped solo initially, but Deel streamlined it — should’ve partnered up from the start.
More Connections: Networking with EB-1A applicants earlier would’ve cut my stress.

Common Misconceptions

No PhD Required: I’m an engineer, not a doctor — impact trumps degrees.
Fame Isn’t Everything: Industry recognition beats general celebrity.
Self-Petition Power: No employer needed — EB-1A is your show.

Overcoming Challenges

Self-Doubt: “Am I extraordinary enough?” Yes — if you’ve got evidence. My spreadsheet erased my doubts.
Strong Letters: Weak ones sink you. Ask credible pros (not just friends), provide drafts, and demand specifics.
The Waiting Game: Immigration’s slow. I stayed productive — writing articles, judging events, connecting with peers.
Filling Gaps: No media? Publish on Medium. No judging? Volunteer at a hackathon. Act fast to plug holes.

Not Ready Yet? Build Your Profile

For F-1 Students

Publish: Start with a Medium blog or LinkedIn post on your field.
Compete: Win hackathons — small awards count.
Judge: Volunteer at university events or online competitions.

For H-1B Professionals

Pursue Membership in Professional Organizations: Build your credibility by engaging with respected groups like BCS Fellowship, IEEE Senior Member, ACM Senior Member, CTA, or even YC Startup School — these affiliations showcase your standing in the field.
Contribute Through Reviews: Strengthen your expertise by peer-reviewing research papers or judging hackathons (Major League Hacking is a solid starting point).
Share Your Insights: Gain visibility by publishing articles in outlets like VentureBeat or Medium — your voice can amplify your impact.
Step Up Your Role: Seek leadership opportunities or a higher salary to reflect your growing influence in your industry.

For O-1 Holders

Expand: Leverage your O-1 — speak at conferences, publish more.
Network: Join journal boards or event committees.

Advice: Start today. Six months of effort can transform your case.

Resources to Master Your EB-1A

Legal Support

Deel—High-quality and easier on the wallet compared to others.
Fees: Around $10k, covering lawyer and USCIS costs (I-140/I-458) (added this since folks kept asking).

Learn the Process

EB-1A Resources — All-in-one doc curated by me.
YouTube EB-1A Playlist — Real stories and tips.
Sophie Alcorn’s Free EB-1A Course — The best starting point.

Join the Community

Real-time support — Discord Server #1 / Discord Server #2
Connect with pros like you — Slack Workspace

Boost Your Visibility

Publish: Medium, VentureBeat.
Judge: MLH Events — Easy entry point.

Need Expert Letters?

DM me on LinkedIn or X (Twitter). I help tech, AI, and startup pros craft strong letters if it’s a fit.

Bonus: How I Structured Expert Letters

Readers often ask about this, so here’s my formula:

Introduction: Who’s writing? Their title, credentials, and how they know you (e.g., “As a Stanford professor, I collaborated with Summit on X”).
Your Impact: Specific examples — e.g., “Summit’s AI tool saved $2M at Oracle” or “His TruckBux strategy secured $6M.” No generic fluff.
Closing: “I fully support Summit’s EB-1A — he’s extraordinary.” Signed, with a LinkedIn link for verification.

Tip: Aim for 3–5 from a mix — professors, execs, founders. Quality beats quantity.

Final Thoughts: Why EB-1A Is Worth It

EB-1A isn’t just a green card — it’s freedom from visa uncertainty and endless H-1B renewals. It’s unlimited career potential in AI, startups, or cloud innovation. You don’t need a Nobel Prize or global fame — consistent impact and solid evidence are enough. I went from self-doubt to approval in one shot, and you can too.

Let’s connect! Reach me on LinkedIn or X (Twitter), and check out the all-in-one EB-1A Resources Doc curated by me to support your journey.

Need guidance on your profile or letters? I’m happy to help — let’s make this process smoother together. Reach out for expert letters!

Want to connect with the best immigration lawyer at Deel? DM me for my point of contact — they made my EB-1A process seamless.

Disclaimer: This article reflects my personal experience navigating the EB-1A process and is intended for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Immigration laws and policies can change, and individual circumstances vary. For guidance specific to your situation, consult a qualified immigration attorney.

Your Next Step: Where are you with EB-1A? Struggling with evidence? Letters? Let me know below — I’ll weigh in!