Types of immigrant work visas and their requirements
There are five categories of immigrant visas for permanent workers. These categories include EB-2 and EB-3 visas for professionals with advanced degrees and skilled workers. The requirements to qualify vary depending on the type of visa.
- Each category is intended for different professions or skills.
- Some categories require you to have a job offer from a U.S. employer (sponsor) before submitting your visa application.
- Some categories require the employer (sponsor) to file an application with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and obtain a labor certification from the Department of Labor (DOL).
How to apply for an immigrant work visa
Learn about the requirements and the process to apply for each of these employment-based immigrant visas, including:
- Forms and documents you will need
- Processing fees
- Visa interview
- Medical exams
- How to become a permanent resident (Green Card holder)
Five categories of immigrant visas for permanent workers:
| Preferences | General Description | Individual Labor Certification Required? |
|---|---|---|
| First Preference EB-1 | This preference is reserved for persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professors or researchers; and certain multinational executives and managers. | No |
| Second Preference EB-2 | This preference is reserved for persons who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees or for persons with exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business. | Yes, unless the Form I-140 petition is accompanied by an application for Schedule A designation or a request for a national interest waiver. |
| Third Preference EB-3 | This preference is reserved for professionals, skilled workers, and other workers. (See Third Preference EB-3 page for further definition of these job classifications.) | Yes, unless the Form I-140 petition is accompanied by an application for Schedule A designation. |
| Fourth Preference EB-4 | This preference is reserved for “special immigrants,” which includes certain religious workers, employees of U.S. foreign service posts, retired employees of international organizations, alien minors who are wards of courts in the United States, and other classes of aliens. | No |
| Fifth Preference EB-5 | This preference is reserved for business investors who invest $1,050,000 or $800,000 (if the investment is made in a targeted employment area) in a new commercial enterprise that employs at least 10 full-time U.S. workers. | No |
How to sponsor a permanent worker for a U.S. job
To hire a foreign worker, you may have to sponsor them so they can get an immigrant work visa.
First, find out if you have to get a labor certification from the Department of Labor (DOL).
- Learn about the DOL labor certification process, also known as PERM.
- Apply for certification using the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) or submitting ETA Form 9089[PDF, 1.1MB].
Once you have been certified, file your certification along with Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers with USCIS.