Green Card Through Employment
Looking to obtain a U.S. green card through employment? Our immigration law firm helps professionals and employers navigate every step of the employment-based green card process with clarity and confidence.
At Lefebvre Michel, PLLC, we help professionals, skilled workers, and employers navigate the complex process of obtaining employment-based green cards. Whether you’re an individual seeking permanent residence through a U.S. job offer or an employer aiming to sponsor top talent, our experienced immigration attorneys provide strategic guidance every step of the way.
The U.S. immigration system offers several employment-based (EB) green card categories, each with specific eligibility criteria and procedural requirements. From PERM labor certification to adjustment of status or consular processing, we work closely with clients to determine the best pathway and ensure every detail is handled with care and precision.
EB-1 Green Card for Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professors, and Multinational Executives
The EB-1 visa is a first-preference employment-based green card category for individuals with extraordinary abilities in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professors or researchers; and multinational executives or managers. This visa offers a fast path to permanent residency. Our firm assists high-achieving professionals and global leaders in building strong EB-1 petitions, from gathering evidence to preparing detailed filings that highlight your accomplishments.
EB-1A: Extraordinary Ability
- No job offer required.
- Show extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics
- Provide extensive documentation of national or international acclaim
EB-1B: Outstanding Professors and Researchers
- Job offer required from a teaching or research position from a U.S. university or qualifying employer
- Be internationally recognized as outstanding in your academic field
- Have at least 3 years of teaching or research experience
EB-1C: Multinational Manager or Executive
- Job Offer & Intra-Company Transfer Required
- Be employed outside the U.S. for at least 1 year in the past 3 years by a qualifying organization
- Be seeking to enter the U.S. to work in a managerial or executive capacity
- Be transferring to a U.S. branch, affiliate, or subsidiary of the foreign company
- Be conducting business in the U.S. for at least 1 year
What Are the Steps to Apply?
- File the Immigrant Petition (Form I-140), along with all required documentation to USCIS.
- Premium processing possible
- Apply for Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing
- Attend Your Interview
EB-2 Employment-Based Green Card for Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability
The EB-2 green card is designed for professionals who hold advanced degrees or possess exceptional ability in their field. Whether you are an experienced professional with a master’s degree (or its equivalent), a highly accomplished individual making significant contributions in the sciences, arts, or business, or someone whose work serves the national interest of the United States, the EB-2 category may offer a direct pathway to permanent residency.
EB-2: Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability
- For professionals with an advanced degree or a bachelor’s degree plus 5+ years of experience
- Or individuals with exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business
- Requires a permanent job offer and approved PERM Labor Certification
EB-2 NIW: National Interest Waiver
- For individuals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability
- Must demonstrate that your work significantly benefits the U.S. and merits a waiver of the job offer and PERM requirement
- No employer sponsorship needed
What Are the Steps to Apply?
- Obtain PERM Labor Certification (unless applying under NIW)
- File Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)
- Wait for Priority Date to Become Current (per the Visa Bulletin)
- File for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) or Consular Processing
EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card for Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers
The EB-3 visa category is for individuals seeking U.S. permanent residency through employment in one of the following groups:
EB-3(A): Skilled Workers
- Minimum of 2 years of job experience or training
- Permanent, full-time job offer required
- PERM Labor Certification required
EB-3(B): Professionals
- U.S. bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent
- Job must require a bachelor’s degree
- PERM Labor Certification required
EB-3(C): Other Workers (unskilled labor)
- Less than 2 years of training or experience
- Full-time, non-seasonal job offer
- PERM Labor Certification required
What Are the Steps to Apply?
- Obtain PERM Labor Certification
- File Form I-140
- Apply for Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing
EB-4 Employment-Based Fourth Preference
The EB-4 green card is a special immigrant category for individuals who qualify under specific groups, including:
- Religious workers
- Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ)
- Certain broadcasters
- Iraqi and Afghan interpreters or translators
- U.S. Government employees abroad
- Certain Armed Forces members
- Certain physicians
- Panama Canal Zone employees
- NATO-6 employees and family members
EB-4 typically does not require a PERM labor certification, but applicants must meet the specific qualifications tied to their subcategory.
What Are the Steps to Apply?
- File Form I-360
- Check the Visa Bulletin to confirm if your priority date is current
- Apply for Adjustment of Status (if in the U.S.) or Consular Processing (if abroad)
- Gather and Submit Supporting Documents