Melania Trump received her U.S. visa in the early 2000s, but questions have resurfaced about whether she truly qualified for the so-called “Einstein visa” — a category meant for individuals with extraordinary abilities. Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett recently raised the issue, asking how Melania, a model, obtained a visa typically reserved for top-tier professionals like Nobel laureates, Olympic medalists, or globally recognized artists and scientists.
Melania, who had been living in the U.S. since 1996, reportedly started with a tourist visa and later transitioned to a series of work visas. In 2001, she obtained the EB-1 visa, which is officially intended for individuals with “extraordinary ability,” distinguished professors, or certain high-level executives.
During a recent House Judiciary Committee hearing, Rep. Crockett criticized the decision to grant Melania this visa, arguing that she lacked the level of acclaim generally associated with EB-1 recipients, such as top-tier supermodels or award-winning professionals.
The remarks sparked debate, but fact-checking site Snopes looked into the controversy and found that Melania’s case might not have been so unusual after all. While they couldn’t confirm the exact visa type she received, Snopes noted that models — including others like Shera Bechard — have previously been granted either EB-1 or O-1 visas, both of which require demonstration of extraordinary talent.
Snopes concluded that it is indeed possible for a successful model to receive an EB-1 visa, provided certain criteria are met. While the “Einstein visa” may sound exclusive, its eligibility can include individuals in the entertainment and fashion industries, depending on their career achievements.