As demand has grown for skilled workers in the United States, several new classifications of green cards have become available. There are several paths to obtaining employment-based green cards, and it can be vital for a potential applicant to understand the differences between them in order to select the best option. Many workers in Massachusetts looking to obtain permanent resident status may want to consider the differences between an EB2 and an EB3 visa.
For highly-skilled workers, the EB2 and EB3 category visas seem to be a prevalent option. There are distinct differences between the two visas, and the suitability can vary depending on the specific skills that a potential employee possesses. For either of these visas, an employer can sponsor an employee for a green card that will allow him or her to work in the United States and also receive other benefits that permanent residents receive.
An EB2 visa can be an appropriate choice for workers who hold advanced degrees and have five years of experience, or for potential employees who have demonstrated exceptional ability in certain areas such as business, the sciences or the arts. The EB3 category visa could be more suitable for workers who are skilled and are able to perform a job in which they have a minimum of two years of experience or training. In general, filing for an EB2 visa takes less time for approval but has much stricter requirements.
Potential applicants looking to work in Massachusetts could benefit from discussing the pros and cons of the different categories of employment-based green cards with an attorney. Attorneys who are experienced in immigration law will be in the best position to evaluate a potential applicant’s credentials and discuss the most favorable options. In addition, an attorney could help speed the application and approval process by ensuring the client’s paperwork is correct and continuously minding the application as it moves through the legal system.