There are several ways to permanently immigrate to the U.S. through employment, among others, through an offer of permanent employment in the U.S., investment in the U.S., special categories of work, or self-petition for immigrants with extraordinary ability.  Employment-based immigration is divided into the employment preference categories, based on the professional accomplishments and skills needed by U.S. employers:

  1. EB1 – Priority workers (persons of extraordinary abilities in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, outstanding professors and researchers, and certain multinational executives and managers). Very few people qualify for this category.
  2. EB2 – Members of the professions holding advanced degrees or a foreign degree equivalent or persons of exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business;
  3. EB3 – Professionals, skilled and other workers;
  4. EB4 – Certain special immigrants, such as religious workers, former employees of U.S. government, etc.
  5. EB5 – Persons who invest significant funds in the U.S. and create at least 10 jobs for U.S. workers.

Spouses and children of employment immigrants are entitled to the same status and the same order of consideration. Within each preference category, the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) allocates the number of visas to be issued each year. When the number of eligible employment immigrants in each preference category exceeds the number of allowed visas, there are backlogs for employment-based immigrants resulting in delays in the availability of immigrant visas. However, certain employment-based immigrants may be eligible to apply under more than one preference category thereby potentially increasing their chances in getting an approved petition and/or reducing the wait time.

Getting an employment-based green card is a multi-step complex process that could last several years and the job eligibility requirements in most categories are carefully scrutinized. Do not let a mistake get on your way of establishing lawful permanent residence in the U.S. We can streamline your legalization process and safe you a lot of time and money. Call us now for a free non-obligation consultation. (386) 248-3000.

See also:

  • EB1 – Priority Workers ( O, L)

  • EB2 – Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Abilities

  • EB3 – Professionals, Skilled and Other Workers (H1B)

  • EB4 – Special Workers

  • EB5 – Investors