Working in the United States

Working in the United States

OBTAINING PERMANENT RESIDENCE THROUGH EMPLOYMENT

As a worker, you can obtain permanent residence through one of five employment-based (EB) categories. Most categories involve substantial delays in obtaining lawful permanent residence.

  • EB1 Is for those with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives and managers. No labor certification is required.
  • EB2 Is for professionals with advanced degrees (or a bachelor’s degree and five years postgraduate progressive experience), and those with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business. These cases require a labor certification, unless a National Interest Waiver is obtained by application to USCIS.
  • EB3 Is for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers. A labor certification is required.
  • EB4 Is for religious workers. No labor certification is required.
  • EB5 Is for investors. Also known as an employment creation visa, this requires investment of either $500,000 or $1,000,000, depending on location and the creation of 10 full-time jobs for US workers.
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