EB-2 Visa: Employment-Based Green Card for Advanced Degree Professionals
The EB-2 Green Card was created for professionals holding advanced degrees, exceptional ability, or looking to waive their employment labor certification requirement. This allows those able to show supporting evidence that they fall under this category to live and work in the US permanently.
Interested in immigrating to the United States?
In 1990, Congress created the EB-2 immigrant visa category within the Immigration Act for those interested in US permanent residency. Also referred to as a second preference employment-based green card, this immigration pathway was created for foreign nationals who hold an advanced degree, exceptional abilities, or are looking to waive their labor certification requirement. Each category has its own set of guidelines making it important to understand which visa is best for you! The three visas that fall under the second preference category include:
EB-2A: Advanced Degree
EB-2B: Exceptional Ability
EB-2C: National Interest Waiver (NIW)
The EB-2 Visa is one out of five employment-based green cards for those looking to work in the United States permanently! Click to learn more about the other employment-based visa options!
How to Apply
To successfully obtain an EB-2 visa, your employer must:
- Review the instructions for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers
- Complete and sign Form I-140
- Pay the filing fee (if applicable)
- Provide all required evidence and supporting documentation.
After You File
Once your Form I-140 is received, the USCIS will process your petition. You will then be given a:
- Receipt notice confirming we received your petition
- Biometric services notice (if applicable)
- Notice to appear for an interview (if needed)
- Notice of our decision
EB-2A: Advanced Degree
To obtain an EB-2 visa due to holding an advanced degree or equivalent which is a bachelor’s degree plus five years of progressive work experience in the field.
EB-2B: Exceptional Ability
The EB-2B was designed specifically for those who can show exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business, which will greatly benefit the United States economy, cultural or educational interests, or welfare in the future. Exceptional ability means, “a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in the sciences, arts, or business.”
EB-3C: National Interest Waiver
If you are requesting that that USCIS waives the labor certification (also known as a job offer) requirement because it is in the best interest of the United States, you are eligible to file a petition on your own behalf. You may do this whether you seek to classify yourself as a professional who has an advanced degree or if you have an exceptional ability.
The USCIS will review all of the evidence you submit to determine whether you have satisfied the criteria and whether it is in the best interest of the US to grant this discretionary waiver.
How to Support for Your EB-2 Visa Application Petition
It’s important to show enough and the right supporting documentation for your EB-2 Green Card. Check out these EB-2 visa evidence examples:
EB-2A: Advanced Degree
When applying for an EB-2 visa as a professional, you can show supporting evidence with documents such as:
- official academic records showing that you have a US advanced degree or a foreign equivalent degree
- an official academic record showing that you have a US baccalaureate degree or a foreign equivalent degree and letters from current
- former employers showing that you have at least 5 years of progressive post-baccalaureate work experience in the specialty
If a doctoral degree is customarily required within your industry, you must have a United States doctorate or foreign equivalent degree.
EB-2B: Exceptional Ability
When applying for an EB-2B green card, you must show supporting evidence that you hold exceptional ability within your field. You can do this by showing:
- Official academic records showing that you have a degree, diploma, certificate, or similar award from a college, university, school, or other institution of learning relating to your area of exceptional ability
- Letters documenting at least 10 years of full-time experience in your occupation
- A license to practice your profession or certification for your profession or occupation
- Evidence that you have commanded a salary or other remuneration for services that demonstrates your exceptional ability
- Membership in a professional association(s)
- Recognition for your achievements and significant contributions to your industry or field by your peers, government entities, professional or business organizations
- Other comparable evidence of eligibility is also accepted
EB-2C: National Interest Waiver
To be granted a National Interest Waiver, you must show:
- The proposed endeavor has both substantial merit and national importance
- You are well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor
- It would be beneficial to the United States to waive the requirements of a job offer, and thus the labor certification
Why Legal Help for the EB-2 Visa is Important!
Applying for a US-based Green Card through employment is a huge deal and it’s important to complete your EB-2 visa application correctly to enhance your chances of approval. If you have the opportunity to apply for a Green Card, you should take advantage of legal services so that you can reach your potential. If you already have ingredients like a family member that is a US citizen, or an employer that is willing to petition for you to immigration permanently, you still need to present an application package that will convince immigration officers of your worth.
Why Hire Us to Help with Your EB-2 Application?
Attempting to get a Green Card is a crucial process. Any slight misstep could result in a refusal after all of the efforts you put into your application. We have helped thousands of individuals successfully get US permanent residence through employment-based petitions, and we can help you too!
Let Us Help You!
The first step towards a successful Green Card application is getting an assessment of your case. Call us or fill out our immigration assessment form and we will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and options.