Most employer-sponsored green cards go through PERM, a months-long recruitment process at the Labor Department. Schedule A is the exception. The Labor Department's rule reads: "We have determined there are not sufficient United States workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available for the occupations listed below on Schedule A" (20 CFR 656.5, eCFR), and Group II of that schedule covers people of exceptional ability in the sciences or arts.
As of October 26, 2026, Group II is worth knowing about for researchers, professors and artists whose employer wants to sponsor them without a lengthy labor market test. This guide explains who qualifies and how it is filed.
- Schedule A Group II covers exceptional ability in the sciences or arts, including college and university teachers, and exceptional ability in the performing arts.
- Schedule A occupations are pre-certified, so the employer files the labor certification with USCIS with the I-140 instead of testing the labor market through PERM.
- For sciences or arts, the employer must show widespread acclaim and international recognition, plus at least two of seven evidence types.
- The worker must have practiced the science or art during the year before the application.
- The employer still needs a prevailing wage determination and must post a notice for at least 10 consecutive business days.
- Schedule A designation satisfies only the labor certification; the I-140 category must still be met separately.
Who is covered by Group II?
Two groups (20 CFR 656.5(b), eCFR):
| Group II category | Definition |
|---|---|
| Sciences or arts (except performing arts) | People "of exceptional ability in the sciences or arts including college and university teachers of exceptional ability who have been practicing their science or art during the year prior to application and who intend to practice the same science or art in the United States" |
| Performing arts | People "of exceptional ability in the performing arts whose work during the past 12 months did require, and whose intended work in the United States will require, exceptional ability" |
The term "science or art" is broad: it "means any field of knowledge and/or skill with respect to which colleges and universities commonly offer specialized courses leading to a degree," and the person "need not have studied at a college or university in order to qualify" (same).
How does Schedule A change the process?
It skips the labor market test. The USCIS Policy Manual explains that "an employer who wishes to hire a person for a Schedule A occupation is not required to conduct a test of the labor market and apply for a permanent labor certification with DOL. Rather, this employer must apply for Schedule A designation by submitting an application for permanent labor certification to USCIS in conjunction with the petition" (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Part E, Ch. 7). The regulation says the employer files "with the appropriate DHS office, and not with an ETA application processing center" (20 CFR 656.15(a), eCFR).
- Prevailing wage. "An employer must obtain a valid prevailing wage determination from DOL's National Prevailing Wage Center (NPWC) before it can file the petition," and "the wage offered to the beneficiary must be no less than 100 percent of the prevailing wage" (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Part E, Ch. 7).
- Notice of filing. The employer gives notice to the bargaining representative or, if none, to its employees, posted "for at least 10 consecutive business days" in "a clearly visible location at the facility or location of employment" (same).
The employer must also offer "full-time permanent employment." Our guide to the PERM process shows the recruitment steps Group II avoids, and our guide to prevailing wage levels covers the wage.
What evidence does the worker need?
For sciences or arts, the employer must file "documentary evidence showing the widespread acclaim and international recognition accorded the alien by recognized experts in the alien's field," proof that the past year's work "did, and the alien's intended work in the United States will, require exceptional ability," and documents from "at least two of the following seven groups" (20 CFR 656.15(d)(1), eCFR):
- "Internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence."
- "Membership in international associations... which require outstanding achievement of their members, as judged by recognized international experts in their disciplines or fields."
- "Published material in professional publications about the alien," with title, date and author.
- Participation "as a judge of the work of others in the same or in an allied field."
- "Original scientific or scholarly research contributions of major significance."
- "Authorship of published scientific or scholarly articles... in international professional journals or professional journals with an international circulation."
- "Display of the alien's work... at artistic exhibitions in more than one country."
Performing artists show that the past 12 months' work and the intended work require exceptional ability, with evidence such as international acclaim and awards, and reviews or articles in major newspapers, periodicals or trade journals (20 CFR 656.15(d)(2)).
How does this compare with EB-1A and EB-2?
The Policy Manual is careful here. The Labor Department "defines 'exceptional ability' for Schedule A, Group II designation as 'widespread acclaim and international recognition accorded the alien by recognized experts in the alien's field,'" while USCIS defines EB-2 exceptional ability as "a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in the sciences, arts or business" (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Part E, Ch. 7). The Group II standard "is therefore somewhat similar" to EB-1A, but "officers should take care not to erroneously apply the standard for the EB-1A category to a request for Schedule A, Group II designation" (same).
| Schedule A Group II | EB-1A | EB-2 NIW | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer needed | Yes | No | No |
| Labor market test | No | No | No |
| Prevailing wage | Yes | No | No |
| Evidence standard | Acclaim plus 2 of 7 | 3 of 10 plus final merits | Three Dhanasar prongs |
Our guides to EB-1A versus EB-2 NIW and EB-2 exceptional ability cover the other two routes.
Who tends to use Group II?
The regulation names "college and university teachers of exceptional ability" directly, so universities and research institutions are natural users. It also suits employers who want to sponsor a researcher, designer or artist with an international record but would struggle to run PERM recruitment for a highly specialized role. Because the Labor Department step is skipped, the time saved is the PERM recruitment and certification period, not the I-140 or the wait for a visa number. For people from countries with long EB-2 backlogs, that last wait may still dominate the timeline.
Does Group II approval mean the I-140 is approved?
No. "Meeting the requirements for Schedule A designation only means that the petition met the permanent labor certification requirement." The I-140 category, usually EB-2 for an advanced degree professional or person of exceptional ability, is decided separately, and "eligibility for Schedule A, Group II designation does not guarantee approval of the petition itself" (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Part E, Ch. 7).
What this means for you
- If your employer wants to sponsor you and PERM recruitment is a problem, ask whether Group II fits.
- Map your record to the seven evidence groups; you need at least two, plus evidence of international acclaim.
- Make sure you practiced your field in the year before the application.
- Your employer still needs a prevailing wage determination and a 10-business-day notice posting.
- Compare Group II with EB-1A and EB-2 NIW, which do not need an employer at all.
Where to start
Our free evaluation at /evaluate/ maps your record against the EB-1A and EB-2 NIW standards, which overlap heavily with the Group II evidence, and Frank, our AI assistant at /frank, finds real opportunities to strengthen it. Petitions are reviewed and filed by our partner law firm, Lai & Turner.
Sources
All checked October 26, 2026.
- 20 CFR 656.5 (eCFR, current text). Schedule A; Group II definitions.
- 20 CFR 656.15 (eCFR, current text). Filing with DHS; Group II documentation and the seven evidence groups.
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 6, Part E, Chapter 7. Pre-certification; prevailing wage; notice of filing; Group II versus EB-2 and EB-1A; designation versus petition approval.
Frequently asked questions
What is Schedule A Group II?
It is a list of occupations the Labor Department has pre-certified, meaning it has decided there are not enough US workers available. Group II covers people of exceptional ability in the sciences or arts, including college and university teachers, and people of exceptional ability in the performing arts. Employers sponsoring them can skip PERM recruitment and file the labor certification with USCIS together with the I-140.
Is Schedule A Group II the same as EB-2 exceptional ability?
No. The USCIS Policy Manual stresses that the Labor Department defines exceptional ability for Schedule A Group II as widespread acclaim and international recognition by recognized experts, while USCIS defines EB-2 exceptional ability as expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered. The Group II standard is closer to EB-1A, but the manual says officers should not apply the EB-1A standard to it.
What evidence does Schedule A Group II require?
For sciences or arts, evidence of widespread acclaim and international recognition from recognized experts, proof that the past year's work and the intended US work require exceptional ability, and documents from at least two of seven groups: international prizes, selective international memberships, published material about the worker, judging, original research contributions of major significance, scholarly articles in international journals, and exhibitions in more than one country.
Does Schedule A Group II still need a prevailing wage?
Yes. The employer must obtain a valid prevailing wage determination from the Labor Department's National Prevailing Wage Center before filing, and must offer at least 100 percent of the prevailing wage. It must also post a notice of filing for at least 10 consecutive business days, or give it to the bargaining representative if there is one.
Why would someone use Schedule A Group II instead of EB-1A?
When the employer wants to sponsor and the worker's record is strong but the EB-1A's final merits review is a concern, or when PERM recruitment is impractical. Group II avoids the labor market test, which can save months. The trade-off is that it still requires an employer, a full-time permanent job offer and a prevailing wage, and the I-140 category, such as EB-2, must be met separately.
Green Card Guide AI is not a law firm and this article is not legal advice. It describes evidence-building strategy in general terms; your attorney determines what belongs in your petition and how it's argued.
