What Is Profile Building for EB-1? The Part Your Lawyer Can’t Do for You
I grew up in India, where we were taught to work for result-driven goals. Study hard to get a good job. Get high scores to get into a good college. Every effort was justified only if it led to a visible, tangible result. Anything that didn’t have a clear and direct outcome was often labeled as "a waste of time."
When I reflect on my past actions, I realize that mindset was the very first thing I had to challenge when I began this journey
“Profile building" wasn't even a concept I was familiar with. I used to think that people who received EB-1 or EB-2 NIW visas were born extraordinary geniuses—and all of them truly are. I believed they simply did exceptional work and were eventually recognized for it. But when I began working on my own EB-1 petition, I realized: this is my profile—and over time, I had shaped it. Not for the visa, but through a series of choices, efforts, and contributions that mattered to me. Piece by piece, it came together—intentionally, even if I didn’t always know where it would lead.
That’s the difference.
You can either hope your hard work eventually qualifies you for an EB-1... or you can approach your career strategically. You can make mindful decisions, reflect on the impact of your work, and start aligning your efforts with what USCIS is actually looking for.
The problem is—most of us don't know what that means.
What kind of work counts as "original contribution"? What does leadership in your field look like? What kind of media recognition is worth submitting? These were all questions I had. And in my world, where everything had to be justified with an immediate purpose, doing something for long-term, intangible benefits felt almost rebellious.
I had to keep going even when people around me asked, "Why are you doing this?" and I didn’t always have a clear answer. I had to stay consistent even when it didn’t make sense in the moment. And I had to push myself to write, create, lead, and contribute—even when I had no time to breathe—because I genuinely enjoyed doing all of it, and it truly mattered to me
Looking back, I realize now—that’s the essence of profile building.
And just to be clear—immigration attorneys play an essential role. They help you file, ensure compliance, and navigate the legal landscape. But profile building is a separate journey—one that lays the foundation for a strong case before it even reaches their desk.
It’s not about being a genius. It’s about being intentional.
And that’s also why attorneys can’t do this part for you. Lawyers can help you file your petition. But no lawyer can build your professional story. No lawyer can get you published, help you take on leadership roles, or guide you in creating work that holds national or international significance. That’s your journey.
While I was preparing my EB-1, I constantly wished I had someone to check my work. To talk to. To brainstorm with—a trusted wingman who understood the process and could walk alongside meth. Someone who could offer ideas, give feedback, and keep me focused. That support system didn’t exist for me. But after I got my EB-1 approval, I promised myself:
I’ll be that person for others.
That’s why I created Elevate to EB1—to support physical therapists and other professionals who are ready to take their careers into their own hands. If you're just starting or even just thinking about EB-1, know this:
You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Your profile is your story. And it deserves to be built with purpose.
And let’s be honest—this isn’t just about a visa. Profile building helps you professionally in ways that go far beyond immigration. It’s a process that challenges you to find your niche, to step into your strengths, and to create work that serves others. In doing so, you don’t just build a stronger case for EB-1—you start living a life of purpose, where your skills bring value, meaning, and fulfillment to your own path and to those around you.
