Let’s say you’re interested in coming to the United States to work but looking for a more permanent role. Many individuals come to the US with the plan to never leave. Approximately 140,000 immigrant visas are available each year for newcomers (and their spouses and children) who seek to immigrate based on their job skills. If you have the right combination of skills, education, and/or work experience and are otherwise eligible, you may be able to live permanently in the US. In these cases, an EB Visa is also known as an Employment-Based Visa may be the perfect route for you.
Here is a breakdown down of your EB Visa options!
Employment First Preference: EB-1 Visa
The EB-1 Visa was designed for those who have an extraordinary ability, are an outstanding professor or researcher, or are a multinational executive or manager.
- Extraordinary Ability – you must be able to demonstrate extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim. Achievements must also be recognized in your field through extensive documentation
- Outstanding Professor or Researcher – You must demonstrate international recognition for your outstanding achievements in a particular academic field. You must have at least three years of experience in teaching or researching in that academic area. You must be entering the United States to pursue tenure, a tenure track teaching, or comparable research position at a university or other institution of higher education. You must also have a job offer from a university, institution of higher learning, or department, division, or institute of a private employer
- Multinational Executive or Manager – You must have worked in a managerial or executive capacity for a firm or corporation outside the US for at least one year during the three years before submitting your petition, and you must seek to enter the United States to continue service for that firm or organization. Your employment must have been with the same employer, an affiliate, or a subsidiary of the employer
How To Apply
You or the employer must:
- Review the instructions for Form I-140
- Complete and sign Form I-140
- Pay the filing fee, if applicable
- Provide all required evidence and supporting documentation.
Employment Second Preference: EB-2 Visa
The EB-2 Visa was designed for those who hold an advanced degree or exceptional ability.
- Advanced Degree – You must have an advanced degree or equivalent, which is a bachelor’s degree plus five years of progressive work experience in the field
- Exceptional Ability – You must be able to show exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business, which will greatly benefit the U.S. economy, cultural or educational interests, or welfare in the future. Exceptional ability means, “a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in the sciences, arts, or business.”
How To Apply
You or the employer must:
- Review the instructions for Form I-140
- Complete and sign Form I-140
- Pay the filing fee, if applicable
- Provide all required evidence and supporting documentation
Employment Third Preference: EB-3 Visa
You may be eligible to be classified as a skilled worker, professional, or other worker depending upon your education, skills, and work experience.
- Skilled Workers – persons whose jobs require a minimum of 2 years of training or work experience that are not temporary or seasonal
- Professionals – members of the professions whose jobs require at least a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. university or college or its foreign equivalent degree
- Unskilled Workers (Other Workers) – persons capable of filling positions that require less than two years of training or experience that are not temporary or seasonal
How To Apply
Your employer must:
- Read the instructions for Form I-140
- Obtain an approved Application for Permanent Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), if required for the specific visa category
- Complete and sign Form I-140
- Pay the filing fee, if applicable
- Provide all required evidence and supporting documentation
Employment Fourth Preference: EB-4 Visa
You may be eligible to be classified as a special immigrant if you are a:
- Religious worker
- Panama Canal Company Employee, Canal Zone Government Employee, or US Government in the Canal Zone Employee
- Physician
- G-4 International Organization Employee or Family Member or NATO-6 employee or family member;
- Broadcaster;
- Afghanistan or Iraq national who worked with the US armed forces as a translator
- Iraq national who worked for or on behalf of the US government in Iraq, or
- Afghanistan national who worked for or on behalf of the US government or the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan
How To Apply
- Read the instructions for Form I-360
- Complete and sign Form I-360
- Pay the filing fee, if applicable
- Provide all required evidence and supporting documentation
Employment Fifth Preference: EB-5 Visa
An EB-5 regional center is an economic unit, public or private, in the US that is involved with promoting economic growth. Regional centers are designated by USCIS for participation in the Immigrant Investor Program.
How To Apply
To apply for USCIS designation as a regional center, file Form I-924.
Need Lawyer Help With Your EB Visa Application?
If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
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VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Ella Bergquist
Hello! I am one of VisaPlace's many immigration news contributors. Comment below if you have any questions or comments about this article.
