What Are the Main Employment-Based Green Card Categories?

Select a category below to review its eligibility requirements, application process, legal fees, and related resources.

EB-1A - Aliens of Extraordinary Ability

EB-1A is available to individuals who have demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. No permanent job offer or labor certification is required, and qualified applicants may self-petition. Eligibility may be established through a qualifying one-time achievement or evidence meeting at least three regulatory criteria, followed by an assessment of the evidence as a whole.

EB-1B – Outstanding Researchers and Professors

EB-1B is available to professors and researchers who are internationally recognized as outstanding in a specific academic field, have at least three years of qualifying teaching or research experience, and have an offer of a qualifying permanent position. The petition must be filed by an eligible U.S. university, institution of higher education, or qualifying private employer.

EB-1C – Multinational Executives or Managers

EB-1C may be available to certain multinational managers and executives who worked abroad for a qualifying related organization for at least one year during the applicable three-year period and who will work in the United States in a primarily managerial or executive position. The U.S. employer must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign organization and must file the petition.

EB-2 – National Interest Waiver (NIW)

A National Interest Waiver may allow a person who qualifies for EB-2 as an advanced-degree professional or individual of exceptional ability to request a waiver of the permanent job-offer and labor-certification requirements. The applicant must also establish that the proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance, that the applicant is well positioned to advance it, and that granting the waiver would benefit the United States.

EB-2 – Advanced Degree Worker

Employer-sponsored EB-2 classification may be available when the offered position requires an advanced degree and the beneficiary possesses the required degree or equivalent qualifications. A U.S. bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent followed by at least five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience may qualify as the equivalent of an advanced degree. EB-2 may also be available to individuals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business.

EB-3 – Professional or Skilled Worker

EB-3 includes skilled workers whose positions require at least two years of training or experience, professionals whose positions require at least a bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent, and certain other workers performing qualifying work that requires less than two years of training or experience. Most EB-3 cases require a permanent job offer and approved labor certification.

EB-4 – Religious Workers

EB-4 covers several types of special immigrants. Qualifying religious workers may include ministers and certain individuals working in religious vocations or occupations for eligible nonprofit religious organizations or affiliated organizations. Religious-worker eligibility includes specific requirements concerning religious membership, qualifying work, and prior experience.

EB-5 – Investors

EB-5 may be available to qualifying investors who invest the required amount of lawfully obtained capital in a new commercial enterprise and create at least 10 qualifying full-time U.S. jobs. The standard minimum investment is generally $1,050,000, or $800,000 for qualifying targeted employment area or infrastructure investments. Approved investors initially obtain conditional permanent residence.

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