An EB-2 is an employment-based visa or Green Card that allows workers with exceptional ability or an advanced degree to immigrate to the United States. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) issues a limited number of visas each year, giving preference to applicants based on their potential benefit to the country. First Preference, or EB-1 Visas, are granted to the most highly sought-after professionals, academics, and researchers. The EB-2 Visa is a Second Preference Visa. A certain number of these are reserved for people with advanced academic degrees or those who have demonstrated “exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business.” Some people may qualify for a waiver and get a Green Card without meeting these requirements.
Getting a Green Card can be a long, frustrating ordeal. It’s best to let an experienced immigration attorney deal with the government bureaucracy. For help in getting an EB-2 Visa or any other citizenship questions, talk to the Orlando Immigration Lawyers at The Rivas Law Firm. Call 407-644-2466 and start the process of becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident.
What is Required for U.S. Work Visa?
There are three kinds of EB-2 Visas. They generally require that you have a job offer. Your prospective employer would have to file a Labor Certification to show that there is a lack of qualified U.S. workers for the position you are seeking.
An EB-2A Visa is for applicants with at least a bachelor’s degree and five years of related post-baccalaureate work. A U.S. master’s degree, or the foreign equivalent, will also suffice.
Applicants for an EB-2B Visa “must be able to show exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business. Exceptional ability means a degree of expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered” in these fields.
An EB-2C Visa is known as the National Interest Waiver. This means that the applicant’s skills and ability are of such unique importance to the country that normal requirements need not apply. These visas do not require the applicant to have an offer of employment, allowing for self-petition.
According to the USCIS, there are three main considerations for the National Interest Waiver:
- The proposed endeavor has both substantial merit and national importance.
- You are well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.
- On balance, it would be beneficial to the United States to waive the requirements of a job offer, and thus the labor certification.
The Advantages of an EB-2 Visa
One of the advantages of applying through the EB-2 category is that the requirements are less burdensome. It generally takes less time to get a Green Card. In addition, the successful applicant’s spouse and unmarried children may be able eligible for Green Cards.
There are other benefits as well, and an experienced immigration lawyer can help make sure you’re getting all the advantages. Using an attorney ensures that the process goes as smoothly and quickly as possible. You don’t have to worry about gathering documents and meeting deadlines to file forms. If you are looking for help in getting an employment-based green card, talk to the Orlando Immigration Attorneys at The Rivas Law Firm. Call 407-505- 6584, and we’ll discuss the best way to get it done.