EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRATION PETITIONS

While many individuals immigrate to the U.S. to be with family or loved ones, about 140,000 come to this country every year in search of employment. To allow for this, the U.S. offers a number of employment-based immigration petitions that enable qualified workers to seek residency and employment in the United States.

These various types of employment-based immigration petitions include:

• Employment-based Preference 1 (EB-1) – Considered priority workers, individuals eligible for EB-1 immigration are those who possess an extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. They also may be outstanding professors or researchers or executives undergoing an international transfer.
• Employment-based Preference 2 (EB-2) – These individuals have an advanced degree in their field or a bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of work experience. Others eligible for EB-2 immigration include individuals with exceptional ability or expertise in the arts, sciences or business.
• Employment-based Preference 3 (EB-3) – These immigrants are considered skilled workers, and have at least two years of experience in their field or possess a college degree.
• Employment-based Preference 4 (EB-4) – These individuals are referred to as “special immigrants” and work in specific industries or positions. These immigrants often include religious workers, government employees, armed forces members and more.
• Employment-based Preference 5 (EB-5) – Individuals who qualify for EB-5 are investors and entrepreneurs. They must invest at least $500,000 to $1 million, depending on local employment rates, and create at least 10 new jobs for U.S. residents.

There are also non-immigration employment visas available that allow individuals to work in the U.S. on a time-restricted basis. These include:

• H-1B visas – for workers in specialty occupations
• O visas – for those with extraordinary abilities in arts, science, education, business or athletics
• TN visas – for Canadian and Mexican nationals
• E visas – for traders and investors
• P visas – for athletes and those in the performing arts
• L-1 visas – for executives and managers undergoing a transfer

Do You Qualify for Employment-based Immigration Petitions?

Let us put our extensive knowledge and training to work for you; contact us today for help with employment-based immigration petitions at 800-770-0127 or 210-444-4444, or fill out a contact form here.