Permanent Work Visa in the USA - How to Get?
The United States of America is one of the strongest economies in the world. It is considered the promised land by millions of people across the world. These individuals apply for a temporary and permanent work visa to come to the United States and fulfill their professional goals.
Although millions apply, there are only 140,000 visas issued every fiscal year. It is not exactly a lucky draw, even though it may seem so. Applicants are required to produce a perfect combination of skill sets, educational qualifications, expertise, and eligibility for their application to be considered. While this may sound very complicated, once you know the different visa categories, the process is actually pretty straight-forward.
In order to get a permanent work visa, the employers must first get a Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor. They must provide confirmation through ETA Form 9089 (“Application for Permanent Employment Certification) about insufficient workers with the required skillset within the United States, and hiring an expat is not taking away a job from a U.S citizen. Once this is done, there are 5 key preferences for employment-based visas.
Permanent Work Visa Categories
Most employers in the U.S use immigration services to expedite the process and handle the details and documentation. Here is a quick guide explaining the preferences.
First Preference EB-1
If the applicant possesses an “extraordinary ability” related to academics, research, art, athletics, or business, they would be covered under this preference. This permanent work visa category does not require a Labor Certification, and if the expat has an approved I-140 (Green Card), their family members can avail admission to the U.S on E-14 or E-15 immigrant status.
Second Preference EB-2
This permanent work visa is available for professionals holding an advanced degree or its international equivalent, or those who can prove at least 10 years of experience in a field, or those whose employment is in the United States' interest. Once the applicant has an approved I-140, their family members can apply for admission to the U.S. using E21 and E22 forms. Immigration visa services provide detailed guidance on the correct forms.
Third Preference EB-3
Under this permanent work visa category the applicants holding a bachelor's degree or an international equivalent can work. Along with this, they should be a skilled or unskilled laborer a non-temporary offer of employment from a U.S. employer. You will need a Labor Certificate for this category of visa. Once the applicant has an approved I-140, their family members can apply for admission to the U.S. using specific forms.
Fourth Preference EB-4
This is a specialized permanent work visa category, and the visas offered can be applied by people who work for the U.S foreign service, people who have retired from international organizations, and certain religious workers. Labor Certification is waived for this category, and some families may be eligible for admission. A work permit agency provides appropriate guidance on this.
Fifth Preference EB-5
If you are an investor, you qualify for this visa category. Under the Immigrant Investment Program, people who are investing 1.8 million USD in new commercial businesses with at least ten full-time employees of the U.S. origin, or 900,000 USD in a new commercial venture employing at least 10 full-time U.S. workers. Labor certification is not required for this permanent work visa category, and the family of such visa holders are eligible to apply for green cards.
With the permanent work visa preferences classified and explained, you should have a fair idea of the preference where you could be eligible. As the process is tedious and requires various forms and documents for assessments and approvals, seeking professional help from visa and immigration service providers is highly recommended. These services can help you navigate through the process and ensure that you get the forms filled outright.
We hope the information was helpful as you begin your journey to apply for your permanent work visa. Here's wishing you good luck!