Employment-Based Immigrant Visas
Permanent Residency, Green Card
Visa Name
Description
EB1
Employment Based First Preference
In this category, U.S. Employers* may sponsor for permanent residence an individual of extraordinary ability, an outstanding professor/researcher, and certain intra-company executives and managers.*A U.S. employer may not be required. In some limited instances, a candidate can self-petition without the sponsor.
EB2
Employment Based Second Preference
In this category, U.S. employers* may sponsor for permanent residence an individual performing work in the national interest of the U.S.A. (“National Interest Waiver”), an individual with an advanced degree (such as a Master’s degree), or an individual with exceptional ability.*A U.S. employer may not be required.
EB3
Employment Based Third Preference
In this category, a U.S. employer may sponsor for permanent residence an individual with a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, an individual with two years of training or experience related to the offered position, or other workers without experience.
Family-Based Immigrant Visas
Permanent Residency, Green Card
Visa Name
Description
K-1 Fiance
A U.S. citizen may sponsor his/her fiancé from another country that is outside of the U.S.A. to enter the U.S.A., marry the citizen, and apply for permanent residence. The fiancé’s minor, dependent children may accompany the fiancé and apply for permanent residence.
Immediate relative
A U.S. citizen may sponsor his/her spouse, parents (if the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old) and his/her under 21, unmarried children for permanent resident status. The relative must be in the U.S.A..
Family-based other
A U.S. citizen may sponsor for permanent resident status the following family members: unmarried, over 21 children; married children; and brothers/sisters if the U.S. citizen is over 21.
A lawful permanent resident (LPR) may sponsor for permanent resident status the following family members: unmarried children and/or spouses.
To work: nonimmigrant visas (temporary residence)
Visa Name
Description
H-1B
A U.S. employer may sponsor an individual with at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent for employment.
H-3
A U.S. employer may sponsor an individual to take part in the U.S. employer’s training program.
L-1A
A U.S. employer that has a subsidiary or affiliate company abroad may transfer a manager or executive to work at a U.S. office.
L-1B
A U.S. employer that has a subsidiary or affiliate company abroad may transfer an employee with “specialized knowledge” of the company’s products or services to work at a U.S. office.
L Blanket
A U.S. employer that meets certain requirements may obtain a “blanket certification” to transfer managers/executives and specialized knowledge workers to work at a U.S. office without USCIS processing an individual petition for each employee.
R-1
A religious, nonprofit organization in the U.S.A. may sponsor an individual to perform religious work on a temporary basis, including ministers, professionals, and persons working in a religious capacity.
TN
A U.S. employer may sponsor Mexican and Canadian citizens that meet certain education/experience requirements to work in the U.S.A. at a professional level.
To visit: nonimmigrant visas (temporary residence)
Visa Name
Description
B-1
This permits foreign nationals to visit the U.S.A. for business purposes. We can assist you in applying if you are in the U.S.A. in lawful status.
B-2
This permits foreign nationals to visit the U.S.A. for vacations, personal matters, or medical reasons. We can assist you in applying if you are in the U.S.A. in lawful status.
To study or participate in exchange program: nonimmigrant visas (temporary residence)
Visa Name
Description
F-1
This permits foreign nationals to take part in an accredited full time study program at an academic institution in the U.S.A. We can assist you with this if you are in the U.S.A. in lawful status.Note: special limitations exist for attending public elementary and high schools.
J-1
This permits foreign nationals to take part in an accredited exchange program in the U.S.A. We can assist you with this if you are in the U.S.A. in lawful status and have an authorized sponsor.
M-1
This permits foreign nationals to take part in an accredited full time study program at a vocational institution in the U.S.A.. We can assist you in applying if you are in the U.S.A. in lawful status.
Miscellaneous
Visa Name
Description
I-751
This petition must be filed by all persons holding conditional status who thereafter seek to apply for permanent residence based on marriage. Petition to remove conditions must be filed with USCIS within the three-month period prior to the second anniversary of the grant of conditional permanent residence.
I-131
Permits eligible foreign nationals to obtain permission to travel abroad while their I-485 applications for permanent residence are being processed by USCIS. Also allows asylees to request a refugee travel document and travel permission for a number of other classifications but only if authorized by law.
I-765
This application requests employment by certain foreign nationals, including those that have I-485 applications for permanent residence pending with the USCIS, those holding asylee status, and for a number of other classifications but only if authorized by law.
