1. EB-1 – Priority Workers
Who qualifies:
- Individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics (EB-1A)
- Outstanding professors or researchers (EB-1B)
- Multinational executives and managers transferred from foreign companies (EB-1C)
Advantages: Does not require PERM Labor Certification, so it is often faster than EB-2 and EB-3.
2. EB-2 – Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability
Who qualifies:
- Professionals with an advanced degree (master’s or higher) or a bachelor’s degree plus significant work experience.
- Individuals with exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business.
- Some applicants may request a PERM waiver through the National Interest Waiver (NIW) if their work benefits the U.S. nationally.
3. EB-3 – Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
Divided into three subcategories:
- Skilled Workers: At least 2 years of training or work experience.
- Professionals: Hold at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) required for entry into their field.
- Other Workers (Unskilled): Jobs requiring less than 2 years of training/experience (limited to 10,000 visas per year).
Requirements: PERM Labor Certification and employer sponsorship. This is the most common category but often experiences long delays due to high demand.
4. EB-4 – Special Immigrants
Reserved for special categories such as:
- Religious workers
- Certain foreign government employees, military members, or healthcare-related cases.
Note: Some subcategories allow self-petition (Form I-360) without employer sponsorship.
5. EB-5 – Immigrant Investors
For foreign investors who:
- Invest $1,050,000, or $800,000 if investing in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA).
- Commit to creating or preserving at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
- Receive a conditional Green Card valid for 2 years, after which they must prove that the investment and job creation requirements have been met.
Each EB visa category has its own eligibility criteria, processing time, and requirements, so choosing the right pathway depends on your background, career, and financial capacity.