Understanding the different types of Employer Sponsored Green Cards

These green cards are a gateway to permanent residency, enabling foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various types of employer-sponsored green cards, their specific requirements, and the application process involved.

What is an Employer Sponsored Green Card?

An employer sponsored green card refers to an immigrant visa issued to foreign professionals based on a job offer from a U.S. employer. These green cards fall under the category of employment-based (EB) immigrant visas, which are divided into five preference categories from EB-1 to EB-5.

Each category has unique qualification criteria and caters to a specific group of professionals or workers. The employer, acting as a sponsor, files an immigrant petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the foreign worker. The primary goal is to extend the employee’s stay in the U.S. from temporary to permanent, allowing them to lawfully reside and work in the country.

5 Types of Employer Sponsored Green Card

There are five primary preference categories of employment-based green cards. Let’s delve into each category to understand their unique attributes and requirements.

1. EB-1: Priority Workers

The EB-1 category is dedicated to “priority workers.” This class includes individuals with extraordinary abilities in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Also included are outstanding professors, researchers, and certain multinational managers and executives.

1.1 EB-1(a): Extraordinary Ability

This sub-category is for individuals who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim. The achievements must be recognized in the field through extensive documentation.

1.2 EB-1(b): Outstanding Professors and Researchers

This sub-category is for professors and researchers who are internationally recognized for their outstanding achievements in a specific academic field. They must have at least three years of experience in teaching or research in that academic area.

1.3 EB-1(c): Multinational Managers or Executives

This sub-category is for managers and executives who have been employed for at least one year by the overseas affiliate, parent, subsidiary, or branch of the U.S. employer.

2. EB-2: Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability

The EB-2 category of Employer Sponsored Green Cards is for professionals holding advanced degrees or their equivalent and individuals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business.

2.1 EB-2(a): Advanced Degree

This sub-category is for individuals with an advanced degree (beyond a baccalaureate degree) or a baccalaureate degree and at least five years of progressive experience in the profession.

2.2 EB-2(b): Exceptional Ability

This sub-category is for individuals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business. Exceptional ability means having a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in the sciences, arts, or business.

2.3 EB-2(c): National Interest Waiver

This sub-category is for individuals with exceptional ability, and whose employment in the United States would greatly benefit the national interest.

3. EB-3: Skilled, Professional, or Other Workers

The EB-3 category is for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers. This category generally has a longer waiting time compared to EB-1 and EB-2 due to higher demand.

3.1 EB-3(a): Skilled Workers

This sub-category is for individuals with at least two years of job experience or training.

3.2 EB-3(b): Professionals

This sub-category is for individuals with a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign equivalent who are members of a profession.

3.3 EB-3(c): Other Workers

This sub-category includes individuals performing unskilled labor requiring less than two years of training or experience.

4. EB-4: Special Immigrants

The EB-4 category is for “special immigrants,” which include various religious workers, employees of U.S. foreign service posts, retired employees of international organizations, alien minors who are wards of courts in the United States, and other classes of aliens.

5. EB-5: Immigrant Investors

The EB-5 category of Employer Sponsored Green Cards is reserved for foreign investors who invest a significant amount of money in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. This category requires a minimum investment of either $500,000 or $1,000,000, depending on the geographical area, in a commercial enterprise that will create or preserve 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers.