The EB visa programs allow foreign workers and their immediate families to permanently live and work in the U.S. There are approximately 140,000 of these visas available every year. Generally, to apply for an EB visa, you must have a prospective employer who’s received a labor certification approval. The employment sponsorship visas include:
EB-1 Visa – This visa is reserved for those with extraordinary ability in art, science, athletics, business, or education; outstanding professors and researchers; and multinational managers and executives.
EB-2 Visa – This visa is reserved for professionals holding an advanced degree or persons with exceptional ability in business, art or science.
EB-3 Visa – This visa is reserved for skilled workers whose jobs require at least 2 years of training or experience, professionals whose jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree and unskilled workers who are able to fill positions that require less than 2 years of experience or training.
EB-4 Visa – This visa is reserved for special immigrants and the employer isn’t required to receive labor certification. Those eligible include broadcasters, ministers of religion, certain employees or former employees of the U.S. government abroad and many other specific circumstances.
There are some exceptions where the applicant can self-petition and apply for the National Interest Waiver.