Criterion 9 of 10
View Evidence ChecklistHigh Salary or Remuneration
Do you earn significantly more than others in your field?
Difficulty
Easy
Common for
Tech Workers, Executives
Key Insight
Must be significantly above industry average
Evidence Strength Examples
USCIS evaluates the strength of your evidence. Here's what they look for:
High Evidence Strength
Strong evidence that clearly demonstrates extraordinary ability
Top 1-5% earner nationally for your field, evidenced by tax returns and comparative salary surveys.
Medium Evidence Strength
Moderate evidence that may need additional documentation
Top 10-20% of earners in your specific job title and location.
Low Evidence Strength
Weak evidence that typically doesn't meet USCIS standards
Slightly above average for your city/level.
How to Document This Criterion
Evidence to Collect
Types of documentation USCIS looks for
- Tax returns or W-2s showing your income
- Offer letters or employment contracts
- Bureau of Labor Statistics data for comparison
- Industry salary surveys (Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, etc.)
- Stock/equity compensation documentation
Pro Tips
Expert advice for stronger documentation
- 💡Compare against NATIONAL averages, not just local
- 💡Include ALL compensation: base, bonus, equity, benefits
- 💡Use official sources like BLS for comparative data
- 💡If comparing internationally, adjust for cost of living