The US immigration authorities approve approximately 140,000 employment-based visa applications every year. Furthermore, a high number of them are employment based visas.
However, the application process is difficult for many. Moreover, it can cost time and money.
Therefore, we suggest you read this guide for an easy application process.
Who Is Eligible For a US Employment Based Visas?
First, check if you’re eligible for an application. The US employment-based visas eligible candidates are divided into five categories
Employment First Preference (E1): Priority Worker and Persons of Extraordinary Ability
Employment Second Preference (E2): Professional Holding Advanced Degrees and Persons of Exceptional Ability
Employment Third Preference (E3): Skilled Workers, Professionals and Unskilled Workers (Other workers)
Employment Fourth Preference (E4): Certain Special Immigrants
Employment Fifth Preference (E5): Immigrant Investors
Employment First Preference (E1)
This category includes all individuals with extraordinary achievements in science, art, business, education, etc. In addition, the applicants must provide valid certificates of their achievements.
NOTE: E1 candidates can apply for an employment-based visa even if they don’t have a job offer in the US. However, after entering the US they’re only allowed to work in their field.
Additionally, the E1 scheme includes acclaimed professors and researchers as well. However, they must have three years of experience prior to application. Likewise, company executives and managers working for international US companies can apply for an employment-based visa in the US.
Employment Second Preference (E2)
It includes Individuals holding advanced degrees and those with excellent abilities in sciences, art, or business. However, these applicants must have a job offer from a US employer beforehand. In addition to that, the US Department of Labor must issue them a certificate of labor.
Employment Third Preference (E2)
Applicants of this category account for about 29% of the US immigration visas issued every year.
Listed below are E2 applicants:
- Skilled workers with 2 years of relevant work or training experience.
- Professionals whose education matches the US standards.
- Unskilled workers who are looking for jobs at which no prior training is mandatory.
Moreover, the US company has to request an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140.
Employment Fourth Preference E4
The list of potential E4 candidates includes:
- International Broadcasting Bureau employees
- Ministers of Religion
- Current or Former Employees of the US Government overseas
- Certain Former Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government
- Certain Former Employees of the U.S. Government in the Panama Canal Zone
- Certain Former Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government on April 1st 1979
- Iraqi and Afghan interpreters/translators meeting some criteria revealed to you by the relevant US authorities
- Citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan who have provided the US Government with valuable service
- Certain Foreign Medical Graduates
- Certain Retired International Organization Employees
- Certain Unmarried Sons and Daughters of International Organization Employees
- Surviving Spouses of former International Organization Employees
- Special Immigrant Juveniles
- Persons who have served, are enlisted to serve or recruited in the U.S. army outside the country
- Certain retired NATO-6 civilians
- Certain Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Nato-6 civilians
- Certain Surviving Spouses of dead NATO-6 civilian employees
- Grantee of petitions or labor certification applications submitted before September 11th
- Certain Religious Workers
Employment Fifth Preference E5
Includes foreign investors willing to invest money in the US above a minimum and create job places.
Fees and Requirements
The US authorities apply certain fees for employment-based visa applications. Furthermore, fees depend on the service and the category. Generally, the applicant must pay a fee of $345 for the application process.
SIDE NOTE: Fees can change. Therefore, always contact the US embassy in your country for details.
Your application file must contain:
- VALID PASSPORT
- PERSONAL ID
- VISA APPLICATION FORM (you can find it on the website of the US embassy in your country)
- 2 PASS PHOTOS
- PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES
- A VALID CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Final Note – Employment Based Visas
The US authorities approve around 140,000 US immigration visas every year. Certainly, employment-based visas share a large amount of them.
However, there is an application process to follow. If you have no information about it, things might be difficult. Therefore, it is important that you follow the steps listed above.
Furthermore, we encourage you to pay attention to details. On the contrary, the US embassy will reject your employment-based visa application. Thus, please always ask the US authorities for details.
Last but not least, pay extra attention to timing. Embassies collect a high number of visa applications. Also, they make no exceptions. That said if on the appointment day you’re not there at the time. Otherwise, they will proceed with other candidates. Consequently, you would have to make a new appointment which would cost you more time. For more new update visit on visastate