EB-2 — Employment Second Preference - Advanced Degree

United States•North America

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EB-2 — Employment Second Preference - Advanced Degree

Skilled Migration PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1.5–10 years

Estimated Cost

$6,000–$6,300 USD

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

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 qualifying for the NIW.

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Cost Breakdown

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

Total$6,000–$6,300 USD

Stay & Extensions

Status type

Permanent / indefinite

Annual Cap & Quota

~40,040/year

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

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.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Experience

5+ years

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

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).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Path to permanent residency for highly skilled professionals.
NIW allows for self-petitioning and bypasses the labor certification process.
Spouse and children under 21 can accompany the applicant.
Generally faster than EB-3 category.

Worth Knowing

Standard EB-2 requires the lengthy and rigorous PERM labor certification process.
NIW requires a high burden of proof regarding 'national interest'.
Subject to visa availability and potential backlogs.
Employer sponsorship is required for non-NIW applicants.
PERM processing adds time
Country backlog (India, China)

Application Process

File I-140 petition: Self-petition or employer files with USCIS

USCIS approval: Wait for I-140 approval

Wait for priority date: If visa numbers unavailable

File I-485 or DS-260: Adjust status or consular processing

Attend interview: If consular processing

Receive green card: Permanent resident status

Application Forms

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

Verified Claims (25)

Last verified May 30, 2026

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

Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Members of professions holding advanced degrees, or persons of exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business. NIW (National Interest Waiver) available.

This visa is ideal for advanced-degree professionals and high-ability experts seeking US permanent residence, particularly those qualifying for the NIW.

Cost Breakdown

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

Total$6,000–$6,300 USD

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Experience

5+ years

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

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).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Path to permanent residency for highly skilled professionals.
NIW allows for self-petitioning and bypasses the labor certification process.
Spouse and children under 21 can accompany the applicant.
Generally faster than EB-3 category.

Worth Knowing

Standard EB-2 requires the lengthy and rigorous PERM labor certification process.
NIW requires a high burden of proof regarding 'national interest'.
Subject to visa availability and potential backlogs.
Employer sponsorship is required for non-NIW applicants.
PERM processing adds time
Country backlog (India, China)