• EB-1A: Extraordinary Ability – For professionals who are highly accomplished in their careers. Applicants do not need a U.S. sponsor, and may self-petition on their own behalf. This category is intended for professionals who are among the very top of their fields. Approval requires evidence of a one-time major achievement (such as a Pulitzer, an Oscar, or an Olympic medal) or qualifying for 3 criteria relating to professional accomplishments from a list of 10.

 

• EB-1B: Outstanding Professors & Researchers – For internationally-recognized and distinguished professors and researchers with high accomplishments in their fields. This category requires a permanent job offer from a qualified U.S. university or research institution, but does not foreign labor certification. Applicants must possess at least 3 years of professional teaching or researching experience in a specific field of academic expertise, and must qualify for 2 or more criteria relating to professional accomplishments from a list of 6.

 

• EB-1C: Executives and Managers of Multinational Companies – For overseas executives and managers of multinational companies who obtain a permanent job offer from their employer’s U.S. parent, subsidiary, or affiliate company. The job offer must be for an executive or managerial position and the applicant must have held a similar position in an overseas parent, subsidiary, or affiliate company for at least 1 year within the most recent 3 years. Foreign labor certification is not required.

 

• EB-2: Advanced Degree – For professionals who are offered a permanent job offer in the U.S. for a position that requires a graduate advanced degree or a bachelor degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience. The employer company must undergo the labor certification process to demonstrate the necessity of hiring a foreign national to fill the proffered position.

 

• EB-2: Exceptional Ability – For professionals who have exceptional ability in a field of science, art, or business and are offered a permanent job offer in the U.S. for a position in their field. Applicants may demonstrate an exceptional ability in their field by satisfying at least 3 of 6 criteria relating to their professional accomplishments. The employer company must undergo the labor certification process to demonstrate the necessity of hiring a foreign national to fill the proffered position.

 

• EB-2: National Interest Waiver – For professionals who work in a field that is of such national importance to the United States that waiving the job offer and foreign labor certification is warranted. Applicants may self-petition on their own behalf without a sponsor. Applicants must possess a graduate degree, or a bachelor degree with 5 years of relevant professional experience, or must satisfy 3 of 6 professional criteria, as well as demonstrate that their field is in the national interest of the United States and that they are well-positioned to succeed in this field upon immigrating.

 

• EB-3: Professional Workers – For employees sponsored by a U.S. employer for a position that requires at least a bachelor’s degree. The employer company must undergo the labor certification process to demonstrate the necessity of hiring a foreign national to fill the proffered position.

 

• EB-3: Skilled Workers – For employees sponsored by a U.S. employer for a position that requires at least 2 years of relevant experience, education, or training. The employer company must undergo the labor certification process to demonstrate the necessity of hiring a foreign national to fill the proffered position.

 

• EB-3: Other Workers – For employees sponsored by a U.S. employer for a position that is permanent but requires less than 2 years of relevant experience, education, or training. The employer company must undergo the labor certification process to demonstrate the necessity of hiring a foreign national to fill the proffered position.

 

• EB-4: Religious Workers – For ministers, priests, and other religious workers hired for a permanent position by a bona-fide religious organization established in the United States. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have been a member of the religion during the 2 most recent years before filing the filing of the application. The proffered job position must one of a religious nature and must be compensated. Labor certification is not required.

 

• EB-5: Investment Immigration – For wealthy individuals who make qualified investments that create jobs in the United States. Applicants must invest either $800,000 or $1,050,000 (based on the location) in a qualifying U.S. business venture that will create at least 10 jobs for U.S. workers. The source of the investment capital must be thoroughly documented, and a comprehensive business plan for the venture is required, among other business documents. Applicants who are approved first receive a conditional Green Card for 2 years, after which they must file a separate application for a permanent Green Card by showing they have successfully create the 10 required job.