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Applying for Employment-Based Green Cards

Written by Admin

Thursday, 07 February 2008

Many immigrants do not have family members who legitimately hold U.S. citizenship. And several others are also not interested, or are not qualified to join the Diverse Immigrant Visa or Green Card Lottery program. However, the desire to build a career or stable home in the U.S. is still there deep inside their hearts. So what better way to fulfill this desire than getting an employment-based green card? Yes, this is very much possible. As a matter of fact, a lot of immigrants go towards such route. This requires a U.S. employer who will “sponsor” or petition the immigrant by way of a presumed potential job in the country.

An annual limit of 140,000 immigrant visas based on employment is set in the Immigration and Nationality Act. The limited number of visas is categorized into five employment preferences.

Individuals with extraordinary abilities in the arts, sciences, athletics, education, or business belong to E1 or Employment First Preference, and are called Priority Workers. Also included in this category are outstanding researchers and professors, as well as certain managers and executives.

The next category is the Employment Second Preference or E2, would include professionals with advanced or baccalaureate degrees (to some extent) in sciences, arts, or business.

Skilled workers with minimum of two years experience, professionals who hold baccalaureate degrees and other skilled workers comprise the Employment Third Preference or E3.

There are special immigrants (specified workers of religion, retired civilians of NATO-6, and medical graduates abroad) who, under the U.S. immigrant law, comprise the E4 category or the Employment Fourth Preference.

Lastly, the Employment Fifth Preference or E5 include investors who have great potentials to create employment in the country.

All aspiring immigrants must get an approved petition for immigrant visa from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Some workers or professionals are required to submit a certification of labor from the Department of Labor in the United States. If this is the case, the employer will be the one to file a petition for future immigrant employee according to the employment preference category.

Some applicants may be prohibited to obtain immigrant visas for welfare, health and security purposes. Examples of these are those with communicable diseases, those with serious criminal records, and the likes.

Important papers submitted for the application of immigrant visa or green card include personal documents (birth certificates, passports, and police clearances), and other national or civil documents. The result of medical examination conducted by an officially designated physician is also a very essential document.

Every immigrant must pay a $335 fee for the application processing of his/her visa. The fees are consistent with all applicants and are nonrefundable.

The priority date is the applicant’s designated date to file a petition, which may require several years of waiting period.

Still confused on how to go through the application process of employment-based green cards? You may raise related questions to the embassy or consulate office nearest you. Having the basic knowledge on how to apply for employment-based immigrant visa will help you move on to work or live in the U.S. for good.