EB-1 Visa
You may be eligible for an employment-based, first-preference visa if you have an extraordinary ability, are an outstanding professor or researcher, in science, art, education, business, or sport to gain legal permanent residence in the US.
EB-2 Visa
The EB-2 visa allows foreign nationals to live, work and take up as lawful permanent residence in the United States. Learn more about the requirements and process of getting this employment-based immigrant visa, also known as a green card.
EB-3 Visa
The EB-3 Visa is a Third Priority Worker visa available for skilled workers who hold a bachelor’s degree and eventually other unskilled workers. To be eligible, you must hold a baccalaureate degree or at least 2 years of training or working experience.
Side by side comparison of Employment options in U.S.
| EB-1 | EB-2 | EB-3 | |
| QUALIFICATIONS | Priority workers: • Aliens with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics • Outstanding professors and researchers • Certain multinational managers and executives | • Aliens with advanced degree • Exceptional ability • National Interest Waiver | • Professionals • Skilled worker • Non-skilled worker |
| ADVANTAGES | • Permanent residence within relatively short time • Spouse and unmarried children under 21 are included in permanent residency. | • Generally faster attainment of permanent residence relative to the EB-3 category; • National Interest Waiver Beneficiary does not require sponsorship from a U.S. employer, and may apply on his or her own behalf | • Permanent residency in the United States; • Your derivatives such as your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 years old will be eligible for the permanent residency; • EB-3 Visa requirements are less strict than any other permanent immigrant visa |
| ABILITY TO SPONSOR YOURSELF | Yes, aliens with extraordinary ability | Yes, National Interest Waiver | No |
| LABOR CERTIFICATION | No | Yes (Except National Interest Waiver) | Yes (Full time or permanent job offer) |
| BENEFICIARY | Spouse and unmarried children 21 yrs old or younger | Spouse and unmarried children 21 yrs old or younger | Spouse and unmarried children 21 yrs old or younger |
| CAN YOUR DERIVATIVE WORK? | Yes, the spouse can work after EAD approval | Yes, the spouse can work after EAD approval | Yes, the spouse can work after EAD approval |
| CAN YOUR DERIVATIVE ATTEND SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EMPLOYMENT FOR APPLICANT | Immediately upon entry | Immediately upon entry | Immediately upon entry |
| SSN | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PROCESSING TIME* | Avg. 8 months | Usually 6 months | from 3 to 8 months |
| VISA ISSUED EACH FISCAL YEAR | 28.6% | 28.6% | 28.6% |
| PREMIUM PROCESSING | Available, even if the petition is outside U.S. (except multinational managers and executives) | Available (Except NIW) | Available |
| INCOME TAX | Yes | Yes | Yes |
