Atlas Roundtable 02: From Two Denials to EB-1A Approval
The EB-1A is one of the few green card paths that doesn't need an employer sponsor, a PERM certification, or years in the queue for most applicants. It also has a reputation for being reserved for Nobel laureates and Olympic athletes. The reality is more nuanced, and far more accessible to working professionals than most people think.
At From Two Denials to EB-1A Approval, Open Atlas co-founder Nikin Tharan will share his own EB-1A journey, walk through how the EB-1A actually works, and show how to start building a strong case, even if you're not ready to file yet.
What we'll cover:
→ What "extraordinary ability" means in practice
→ The 10 criteria and how to know which 3+ you can realistically meet
→ How to build evidence over time: publications, judging, press, memberships, and original contributions
→ Common mistakes that lead to RFEs and denials
→ EB-1A vs. NIW: which path fits your profile
→ Open Q&A with the room
Who should attend:
→ H-1B, O-1, and F-1/OPT professionals exploring self-petition options
→ Researchers, engineers, founders, and creatives with a strong body of work
→ Anyone stuck in a long green card backlog looking for alternatives
About the Speaker
Nikin Tharan knows the EB-1A from the inside. As a teenager in India, he was building tabla-playing robots. At 16, he earned a full-ride scholarship to study in the U.S. His O-1A came through in days. His EB-1A did not: it took three attempts and two rejections over two and a half years before he was approved in 2022.
That experience led him to co-found Greencard Inc. and Open Atlas, helping thousands of high-skilled immigrants avoid the mistakes he made. His core belief: you can be objectively extraordinary and still get denied, because the petition is a case you build, and most people build it wrong.
At this Roundtable, he'll share what he wishes he had known before filing.
About Atlas Roundtable
Atlas Roundtable is Open Atlas's in-person series bringing high-skilled immigrants together for candid, expert-led conversations. Come for the talk, stay for the community. Food and drinks available.
Spots are limited. Register to save your seat.
This session is for general education and does not constitute legal advice.