Below are brief descriptions of the major work-related permanent (immigrant) U.S. visas. Most immigrant visa applicants qualify for permanent resident status on the basis of an employer or family relationship. In both instances prior approval by the USCIS of an underlying petition filed on the applicant's behalf is a pre-requisite to applying for permanent residence or adjustment of status.

E1-1: Aliens with extraordinary ablility in sciences, art, education, business or athletics, with demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim, who intend to continue work in same area of extraordinary ability upon entering the U.S.

E1-2: Outstanding professors and researchers who can demonstrate 3 or more years of experience in teaching or research in the academic area and are recognized internationally as outstanding in the field.

E1-3: Multinational executives and managers.

E1-4: Spouse of an E1 priority worker.

E1-5: Children of an E1 priority worker.

E2-1: Members of the Professions - An alien who holds an advanced degree or its equivalent, or who may provide a substantial benefit to U.S. economic, cultural, educational, or welfare interests because of exceptional ability in the sciences, art, or business, and whose services in one of these disciplines is sought by a U.S. employer.

E2-1: National Interest Exception - An alien whose services are considered to be in the national interest of the United States may seek to have the underlying job offer requirement of this visa category waived by the U.S. Attorney General.

E2-2: Spouse of an E2-1 alien.

E2-3: Children of an E2-1 alien.

E3-1: Skilled Workers - those who are performing "skilled" labor (defined as the kind of work requiring at least two years' training or experience) on a permanent basis (not temporary or seasonal).

E3-2: Professionals - holding baccalaureate (bachelor's) degrees.

E3-3: Other Workers - unskilled workers. The offer must not be temporary or seasonal in nature.

E3-4: Spouse of an E3 alien.

E3-5: Children of an E3 alien.

Special (S) Immigrants include:

• Religous workers
  
• Recommended U.S. government employees with 15 years of service
  
• Certain pre-1977 employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government
  
• Foreign medical graduates who entered the U.S. Armed Forces after October 1978
  
• Spouses and children of almost of all of the above.

Investors coming to the U.S. to establish a commercial enterprise who will invest or have invested (after November 29, 1990) capital in an amount not less than U.S. $1 million (U.S. $500,000 if the investment occurs in a "targeted employment area" with the Attorney General's consent), or more than U.S. $1 million if the Attorney General requires. The enterprise needs to create full-time employment for not fewer than 10 U.S. workers (excluding the investor, spouse and kids).

NOTE: Please use our Contact Form to report any inaccurate or missing visa information, or if you have questions.