For immigrants that are currently working in the United States, your work could be your pathway to a green card. Indeed, employment-based visas are a common way for immigrants to establish permanent residency and eventually, citizenship. Each EB visa is given a priority level based on the skill level of the person applying.
EB-1
EB-1 visas are given priority or first preference for priority workers. These are priority employees that have an “extraordinary ability” in athletics, science, business, education or the arts. In addition, this priority status is given to outstanding researchers, professors and other academics, including high-level Chicago, Illinois, multinational executives and managers.
EB-2
The second preference category is for these same types of people, but have “exceptional ability,” instead of extraordinary. You may also qualify for an EB-2 if you have an advanced degree or have some skill or ability needed for the national interest.
EB-3
The third preference category is for skilled workers. This includes all of those professions listed above, but at a lower skill level. Now, there are other types of EB visas as well. This includes EB-4 for special immigrants that includes special immigrant juveniles and religious workers, and EB-5 immigrants, who are investors.
Qualifications
First, you must be employed and living in the United States legally. This means that you were legally admitted and inspected into the United States upon entry. Second, you must file the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
Getting the process started
For those in Chicago who are looking to get their green card, doing so through your employer can streamline the immigration process. However, the process and application can be complicated, and many are denied. This is why many choose to do so with the help of a local immigration attorney.
