Becoming a permanent worker is ideal for people who want to make a living in America. Eligibility depends on your line of work, experience and education. Because of the country’s need for laborers in specific industries, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has been working hard to speed up processing and approvals.
The extent of procedures needed for your permanent worker visa can hinge on your category. Visa classifications can require you to get a labor certification first. According to your qualifications, you need to get a job offer from an American employer who will become your sponsor. Then, your employer must get labor certification approval from the Department of Labor before submitting an immigration petition to the USCIS.
Still, the initial step to get things rolling is figuring out your classification or permanent worker visa preference category.
What Are These Preference Categories?
To find out if you need a labor certification, you need to know your category:
EB-1: Applies to people with remarkable skills in arts, sciences, business, education or sports. This group includes exceptional scientists, educators, managers and executive-level employees.
EB-2: This classification includes professionals with higher education and qualifications in business, sciences or arts. Applicants in this category need either a labor certification or national interest waiver.
EB-3: Relevant to professionals and skilled workers, this classification requires both job offers and labor certifications.
EB-4: Special immigrants fall under this group. It includes workers in religious sectors, international establishments, U.S. international services and other noncitizen groups.
EB-5: Business investors are in this category, including only those investing $1.8 million or $900,000 (if made in selected employment areas). Also, their ventures must hire at least 10 full-time American workers.
After determining your classification, you can make out what your next steps should be.
Do I Have Other Options?
You can opt for a temporary worker’s visa. It has similar processes and requirements but can cover a broader range of skills and jobs. Either way, you still need to work on paperwork and procedures for your visa. No matter which direction you choose, you will find that working in the U.S. can yield heaps of benefits for your career overall.