First preference (EB-1)
The First Preference (EB-1) category is for aliens with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, or business; aliens who are outstanding professors or researchers; and certain aliens who are multinational executives or managers.
To qualify in the EB-1 category, you must demonstrate extraordinary ability in your field through sustained national or international acclaim. Your achievements must be recognized in your field through extensive documentation. You must also show that you will continue to work in your field in the United States.
The Second Preference (EB-2)
The Second Preference, or EB-2, is a visa category for immigrants who are seeking permanent residence in the United States for the purpose of employment. To qualify for this visa, immigrants must have an advanced degree or its equivalent, or a bachelor’s degree plus five years of progressive work experience. Additionally, they must have a job offer from a U.S. employer and be able to demonstrate that they are Eligible for the position.
The Third Preference (EB-3)
The Third Preference (EB-3) is available to foreign nationals who are coming to the United States to perform skilled labor or to receive training in a profession. This includes professionals, skilled workers, and other workers.
Professionals are defined as somebody who has a bachelor’s degree or higher in a particular field and are capable of performing skilled labor in that field. Skilled workers are defined as somebody who has at least two years of experience performing skilled labor in a particular field. Other workers are defined as unskilled workers who are capable of performing unskilled labor in a particular field.
Other employment-based categories include the following:
EW-1: Extraordinary Workers from Outlying Areas of the United States
In the United States, there is a growing trend of businesses outsourcing labor to “extraordinary workers” from outlying areas of the country. These workers are typically paid low wages and often work in unskilled or semi-skilled jobs.
This trend has been driven by a number of factors, including the rising cost of living in the United States, the availability of low-cost labor in outlying areas, and the increasing use of technology that makes it easier to connect with workers in other parts of the country.
Businesses that outsourced to these workers have often found that they are able to save money on labor costs and that the workers are often just as productive as their US-based counterparts. However, there are also some risks associated with this trend, including the potential for the exploitation of workers and the possibility of disrupting local economies.
EW-2: Extraordinary Workers from Schedule A, Group II
The United States Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) designates certain immigrant workers as “extraordinary” based on their “prospective employment in the United States in a specific occupational classification.” These workers are then placed on the Schedule A, Group II list.
Some of the occupations that fall under this category include architects, engineers, medical doctors, and teachers in certain specialized fields. To be eligible for this designation, workers must prove that they have the necessary credentials and experience for the occupation.
Once a worker has been designated as extraordinary, they can then apply for a visa through the Employment-Based Second Preference Visa program. This allows them to live and work in the United States permanently.
