Types of U.S. Work Visas

Learning how to get a U.S. work visa may help some individuals qualify to live and work legally in the United States. The United States provides over 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas every year^[1].

What are the 5 Types of U.S. Work Visas?

There are typically five different types of U.S. work visas an individual may choose to apply for. These U.S. visas usually include:

1. Priority Workers – First Preference (E1)

   Priority workers usually fall within one of three categories including individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers and multinational managers or executives.

   The extraordinary ability category typically only applies to individuals with skillsets in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics.

   The outstanding professors or researchers category typically only applies to individuals who have at least three years’ experience in teaching or research in their respective fields and are internationally recognized.

   The multinational managers or executives category typically only applies to individuals who have been employed by the overseas affiliate, parent, subsidiary or branch of the U.S. employer for at least one of the three consecutive preceding years.

2. Persons of Exceptional Ability and/or Professionals with Advanced Degrees – Second Preference (E2)

   The persons of exceptional ability and/or professionals with advanced degrees typically only applies to individuals who are within one of two subgroups in this category.

   Individuals who have an exceptional ability must have a degree of expertise notably above those ordinarily encountered within the arts, science or business professions.

   Individuals who have advanced degrees much have a degree beyond a baccalaureate degree or a baccalaureate degree with at least five years of professional experience.

3. Professionals, Skilled Workers, and Unskilled Workers – Third Preference (E3)

   There are three subgroups within the E3 or third preference group.

   To fall within the skilled worker subgroup, an individual’s job may not be seasonal or temporary and the job must require a minimum of 2 years training or work experience.

   To fall within the professional subgroup, an individual’s job must require at least a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. university or college or its foreign equivalent degree.

   The unskilled workers or other workers subgroup applies to any other position which is not seasonal and does not require two years training or experience.

4. Special Circumstances – Fourth Preference (E4)

   The special immigrants category includes a broad range of subgroups which an individual may apply for.

   According the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services² website, the EB-4 subgroups include:

   • Religious Workers
   • Broadcasters
   • Iraqi/Afghan Translators
   • Iraqis Who Have Assisted the United States
   • International Organization Employees
   • Physicians
   • Armed Forces Members
   • Panama Canal Zone Employees
   • Retired NATO-6 employees
   • Spouses and Children of Deceased NATO-6 employees
5. Immigrant Investors – Fifth Preference (E5)

   The investor category typically only applies to individuals who want to invest in new commercial enterprises in the United States which promotes job creation.

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Source

¹Employment-Based Immigrant Visa
²Employment-Based Immigration: Fourth Preference EB-4