Individuals seeking to enter the U.S. to engage in temporary business activities and/or tourism.

Individuals of countries with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation can come to the U.S. to engage in international trade.

Individuals seeking to invest a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business.

Citizens of Australia performing services in a specialty occupation that requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of knowledge. Requires at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Individuals studying full-time at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution. Students with F-1 status can apply for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) to be employed in a job related to their field of study.

Individuals performing services in a specialty occupation that requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of knowledge. Requires at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Except for certain exemptions, individuals must first be selected in the annual H-1B Cap lottery before a petition may be filed on their behalf.

Citizens of Chile or Singapore performing services in a specialty occupation that requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of knowledge. Requires at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

The EB-1 category is a priority worker category that allows for individuals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational managers or executives to obtain lawful permanent residence in the United States.

The EB-1 category is divided into three subcategories:

1. EB-1A: Extraordinary Ability Individuals who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. They must show sustained national or international acclaim in their field, and their achievements must be recognized in the form of major awards, prizes, or media coverage.
2. EB-1B: Outstanding Professors and Researchers who have outstanding achievements in their academic field. They must have at least three years of experience in teaching or research and must be internationally recognized for their work.
3. EB-1C: Multinational Manager or Executive Multinational who have been employed outside of the United States for at least one year in the three years preceding the petition or their transfer to the United States. They must be coming to the United States to work for the same employer, or a subsidiary or affiliate of the employer, in a managerial or executive capacity.

Applicants in the EB-1 category are not required to have a labor certification from the Department of Labor, which can make the process faster compared to other employment-based categories. Additionally, individuals in the EB-1 category can self-petition, which means they can apply for a green card without an employer sponsor.

Overall, the EB-1 category is highly selective and is reserved for individuals with exceptional skills, experience, and achievements in their respective fields. It is important to work with an experienced immigration lawyer to navigate the application process and ensure the best possible outcome.

The EB-2 category is a priority worker category that allows for individuals with advanced degrees and exceptional abilities to obtain lawful permanent residence in the United States.

The EB-2 category is divided into two subcategories:

1. EB-2A: Advanced Degree Individuals who have an advanced degree, such as a master’s or doctorate, or its equivalent, and who will be working in a profession that requires an advanced degree, can apply for an EB-2A.
2. EB-2B: Exceptional Ability Individuals who have exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business can apply for an EB-2B. They must have a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in their field and must have sustained national or international acclaim in their field.

Unlike the EB-1 category, applicants in the EB-2 category require a labor certification from the Department of Labor. Additionally, the number of visas available in the EB-2 category is limited, and there is often a backlog of applicants. As a result, applicants may face longer wait times before obtaining a green card.

The National Interest Waiver (NIW) is an additional subcategory of the EB-2 employment-based green card category that allows for petitioning for a green card without a labor certification from the Department of Labor.

To qualify for an EB-2 NIW, the applicant must demonstrate that their work is in the national interest of the United States and that it will have a significant impact on the country. The applicant must meet the following criteria:

1. Advanced degree or exceptional ability: The applicant must have either an advanced degree or exceptional ability in their field.
2. National interest: The applicant must demonstrate that their work has substantial merit and national importance. They must show that their work is beneficial to the United States as a whole, rather than to a specific employer or industry.
3. Impact: The applicant must demonstrate that they are well-positioned to advance their work and that it will have a significant impact on the United States.

The applicant must provide evidence of their achievements and qualifications, including publications, awards, and patents, and a detailed explanation of their proposed work in the United States. They must also provide evidence that they are well-positioned to advance their work and that they have the support of experts in their field.

The primary purpose of E-Verify is to help employers ensure that their employees have the required authorization to work in the United States. When a new hire is made, the employer submits the employee’s information to the E-Verify system. The system then checks the information against DHS and SSA databases to verify the employee’s eligibility to work in the United States.