How Christiane Amanpour Earned U.S. Citizenship

Many recognize Christiane Amanpour as an award-winning journalist, but her journey to U.S. citizenship is equally remarkable. Instead of pursuing a marriage-based visa, Amanpour became a U.S. citizen through her own professional achievements, utilizing the EB-1 visa—a category designed for individuals with exceptional abilities.

The EB-1 visa is specifically for individuals who have demonstrated “extraordinary ability” in fields such as journalism, arts, science, education, or athletics. Amanpour, with her distinguished career and numerous awards, clearly met the high standards required for this visa. What makes the EB-1 visa unique is that it allows applicants to qualify based on their achievements, without the need for family sponsorship or a job offer.

The EB-1 Visa Process (journey to US Citizenship)

For those interested in this path, here’s a quick overview of the EB-1 application process:

1. Prove Extraordinary Ability: Applicants must provide evidence of extraordinary ability in their field, such as awards, media recognition, publications, or other significant achievements.

2. File Form I-140: The first step is filing Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), along with supporting documents that demonstrate extraordinary ability.

3. Wait for Approval: Once the petition is approved, applicants can either apply for a green card (adjustment of status if they are in the U.S.) or go through consular processing if they are abroad.

4. Green Card and Citizenship: After obtaining a green card, applicants can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years of permanent residency, assuming all other naturalization requirements are met.

Though Amanpour could have opted for a marriage-based green card through her husband, American diplomat James Rubin, she chose the EB-1 route, earning her U.S. citizenship through her own professional accomplishments. This highlights how individuals with extraordinary talents can secure U.S. residency and, eventually, citizenship based solely on their contributions to their field.

After securing a green card via the EB-1, Amanpour became eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after five years of permanent residency, once all other naturalization requirements were fulfilled.

Patricia Elizee is the managing partner of the Elizee Law Firm, an immigration law firm located at 1110 Brickell Avenue, Suite 315, Miami, Florida 33131. Phone: 305-371-8846. The law firm was established in 2012. Ms. Elizee earned her Juris Doctorate at the University of Miami School of Law and her Masters in Law from the University of Washington School of Law.