The first step of starting your quest for an employment-based visa is determining which of the five EB classifications is right for you. Our firm handles all five varieties, which include:

• EB-1 — First-preference immigrants are individuals who can demonstrate extraordinary ability and sustained national or international acclaim in a field of arts, sciences, athletics, business or education. Extraordinary ability is determined based on specific criteria rather than by subjective evaluation. Outstanding professors and researchers and certain multinational managers and executives may also apply for EB-1 status if they are sponsored by a prospective employer. The applicant must present evidence that they will continue to work in their field of extraordinary ability in the United States.
• EB-2 — Second-preference immigrants must prove they will substantially benefit the economy, culture, educational interests or welfare of the United States. Only individuals in certain professions may qualify for the EB-2 visa. Physicians who agree to work full-time in areas with a shortage of doctors or at Veterans Affairs facilities may apply. Alternately, an EB-2 applicant can demonstrate exceptional ability in the sciences, arts or business. An EB-2 visa may be issued only if there is a shortage of U.S. workers who are able, willing and qualified for the applicant’s intended profession. Every EB-2 applicant must be sponsored by a U.S. employer.
• EB-3 — Third-preference immigrants are skilled and unskilled workers who provide services that are not readily available from U.S. workers. A professional whose job requires at least a U.S. baccalaureate or equivalent can also qualify. Engineers and teachers are examples of such professionals. An applicant must have a permanent, full-time job offer from the U.S. employer sponsoring the application.
• EB-4 — Fourth-preference “special immigrants” include religious workers, broadcasters, members of the armed services, Afghani and Iraqi translators, international employees of the U.S. government abroad, certain physicians and juveniles in need of court protection.
• EB-5 — Fifth-preference immigrants are entrepreneurs who invest at least $1.8 million in a new commercial enterprise that will benefit the U.S. economy and create or preserve at least 10 full-time positions for qualifying employees. The investment threshold is lowered to $900,000 in rural and high-unemployment areas. Many investors use Regional Centers, approved by USCIS, to pool their investments and mitigate the need to independently manage the business.

Our firm will assess your circumstances, talk through your options and offer personalized legal advice. We also help employers and individuals with nonimmigrant visa matters.