Employment Immigration

There are five Employment Based visa categories Employment First Preference (EB-1 visa), Employment Second Preference (EB-2 visa), Employment Third Preference (EB-3 visa), Employment Fourth Preference (EB-4 visa) and Employment Fifth Preference (EB-5 visa).  The processing times on each vary on a case-by-case basis. 

• EB-1A visas are for those with extraordinary ability in education, athletics, business, arts or science. EB-1A applicants must have ample evidence demonstrating that they have attained widespread acclaim for their achievements and expertise.

• EB-1B visas are for outstanding researchers and professors. Eb-1B applicants must have international recognition and at least three years of research or training.  They must be coming to the United States to pursue tenure. 

• EB-1C visas are for multinational executives of managers. EB-1C applicants must have been employed by the overseas parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary of the prospective U.S. employer in a managerial or executive role for at least one of the prior three years.

• EB-2 visas are reserved for foreign workers who have advanced degrees and exceptional ability. There are two subgroups within this category.  Professional Holding Advanced Degrees and Person of Exceptional Ability receive 28.6 percent of the yearly worldwide limit of employment-based immigrant visas, plus any unused visas from the Employment First Preference category.
  • Professionals holding an advanced degree (beyond a baccalaureate degree), or a baccalaureate degree and at least five years progressive experience in the profession.
  • Persons with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business.  Exceptional ability means having a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in the sciences, arts or business. 

• EB-3 visas are for Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers (Other Workers) All such workers generally require labor certification approval by the Department of Labor.  Skilled Workers, Professionals and Unskilled Workers (Other Workers) receive 28.6 percent of the yearly worldwide limit of employment-based immigrant visas, plus any unused visas from Employment First Preference and Second Preference categories.