US Green Card Through Work: Five Employment Visa Categories Explained

The United States issues about 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas every year. The visas are split into five preference categories for professionals, skilled workers, special immigrants and investors. Successful applicants may qualify for permanent residency and can bring eligible spouses and unmarried children, depending on immigration requirements.

EB-1 and EB-2

The EB-1 category covers priority workers and individuals with extraordinary ability in science, education, business, arts and sports. It also covers outstanding professors and researchers, as well as certain multinational executives and managers. Applicants with extraordinary ability may file petitions without a US job offer if they intend to continue working in their area of expertise. Outstanding professors and researchers generally need to meet specific experience criteria and secure employment with an eligible US institution.

The EB-2 category targets professionals with advanced academic qualifications and people with exceptional ability in science, arts or business. Applicants generally need a job offer from a US employer and an approved labour certification before proceeding. Individuals who qualify for a National Interest Waiver may be exempted from these conditions. That allows eligible applicants to file without employer sponsorship if their proposed work is considered beneficial to the United States.

EB-3 and EB-4

The EB-3 category covers skilled workers, professionals and other workers. Skilled workers must generally have at least two years of relevant training or work experience. Professionals are expected to hold a bachelor's degree or an equivalent foreign qualification. The other workers category is for positions that require less than two years of training or experience.

The EB-4 category is for special immigrant workers. It covers religious ministers and other religious workers, certain international broadcasters, Iraqi and Afghan interpreters, special immigrant juveniles and some former US government employees who served overseas. Certain foreign medical graduates and individuals serving, or enlisted to serve, in the US Armed Forces may also qualify under applicable provisions. Unlike most EB-2 and EB-3 applications, the EB-4 process generally does not require labour certification.

EB-5 investors

The EB-5 programme allows foreign nationals to obtain US permanent residency through qualifying investments in American businesses. Applicants must invest the required amount of capital in a new commercial enterprise and show that the investment meets the programme's job-creation conditions. The initiative is intended to attract foreign capital, encourage business development and create employment opportunities for American workers.

The five categories depend on professional accomplishments, educational qualifications, employment experience, special immigrant status or the ability to make qualifying investments. For Nigerian professionals, the route depends on qualifications, a job offer, special status or investment capacity.