United States•North America547-3650 days
6,600 USD
Indefinite
Yes
Required
Allowed
Available
Not Required
Members of professions holding advanced degrees, or persons of exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business. NIW (National Interest Waiver) available.
The EB-2 is a US employment-based green card for professionals with an advanced degree (master's or higher, or a bachelor's plus five years of progressive experience) or individuals of exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business.
Around 40,040 visas are available per year, each granting permanent residence directly. Most applicants need employer sponsorship and PERM labor certification; the National Interest Waiver (NIW) lets qualifying individuals self-petition without a job offer. Spouses and children join as dependents and may work.
This visa is ideal for advanced-degree professionals and high-ability experts seeking US permanent residence, particularly those eligible for the NIW.
Form I-140 filing fee | 715 USD |
Asylum Program Fee (Standard) | 600 USD |
Asylum Program Fee (Small) | 300 USD |
Form I-485 filing fee (Adjustment of Status) | 1,440 USD |
DS-260 Immigrant Visa Fee (Consular Processing) | 345 USD |
USCIS Immigrant Fee (Consular Processing) | 235 USD |
Form I-907 Premium Processing Fee (Optional) | 2,965 USD |
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
~40,040/year
Advanced Degree Professionals: Possession of a U.S. advanced degree (master's or higher) or a foreign equivalent, or a U.S. bachelor's degree plus at least 5 years of progressive post-degree experience.
Exceptional Ability: Expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in sciences, arts, or business; must meet at least 3 of 6 specific criteria (e.g., academic records, 10+ years of experience, professional licenses, high salary).
National Interest Waiver (NIW): Available for those whose work has substantial merit and national importance, is well-positioned to advance the endeavor, and for whom it would be beneficial to waive the labor certification requirement.
Job Offer
Required
Education
bachelor or higher
Experience
5+ years
Form I-140 and filing fee ($715).
Certified PERM Labor Certification (except for NIW).
Academic degrees, transcripts, and professional certifications.
Letters from previous employers verifying experience.
Evidence of exceptional ability (for EB-2B) or national interest (for NIW).
Employer's financial records (to prove ability to pay wage).
| I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers | Fill online |
| ETA 9089 Application for Permanent Employment Certification | Fill online |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Fill online |
| DS-260 Online Immigrant Visa Application | Fill online |
| I-907 Request for Premium Processing Service | Fill online |
| Application Steps | File I-140 petition: Self-petition or employer files with USCIS; USCIS approval: Wait for I-140 appr… | uscis.gov |
| Dependent Visa | Dependents allowed, spouse can work | uscis.gov |
| Fee Breakdown | Form I-140 filing fee: 715 USD; Asylum Program Fee (Standard): 600 USD; Asylum Program Fee (Small): … | uscis.gov |
| Fees | USD $715 base Form I-140 filing fee + $600 Asylum Program Fee ($300 small / $0 nonprofit) + $1,440 F… | uscis.gov |
| Forms | I-140; ETA 9089 (PERM); I-485; DS-260; I-907 | uscis.gov |
| Forms · DS-260 · description | Online Immigrant Visa Application | uscis.gov |
| Forms · ETA 9089 · description | Application for Permanent Employment Certification | dol.gov |
| Forms · ETA 9089 · url | https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor/programs/permanent | dol.gov |
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