E-3
VS
EB-2
Type
Nonimmigrant visa
Green card
Description
Specialty Occupation Professionals from Australia
Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability
Profiles that typically qualify
Accountants, Computer analysts, Graphic designers, Pharmacists, Physical therapists, Engineers, Teachers, Lawyers, Environmental scientists
Physicians, Engineers, Business analysts, IT professionals, Scientists, Professors and teachers, Physical therapists, Lawyers, Pharmacists
Requirements
You must be a citizen of Australia.
You must hold a 4-year bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience (three years of professional experience for each missing year of formal education).
The job must be a specialty occupation, requiring specialized knowledge typically obtained through a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes roles in fields like engineering, mathematics, and technology, where the complexity of the tasks necessitates advanced education.
The employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the position — a rate set by the U.S. Department of Labor based on the occupation, work location, and level of experience. This wage is not flexible and must be met at a minimum.
You must hold an advanced degree (master's or higher), possess a bachelor's degree plus five years of progressive work experience, or demonstrate exceptional ability in your field by showing at least 3 of 6 requirements, such as maintaining membership in professional associations and earning recognition for your contributions to your industry from peers or professional organizations.
A job offer and labor certification (PERM) are required, proving that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the position.
Pros
Easy renewal process with the option to extend stay.
Far less competitive than the H-1B visa, as it does not require an annual lottery.
Requires minimal applicant qualifications beyond a college degree or professional experience.
Provides complete flexibility to work, live, and study in the U.S.
Straightforward process with clear requirements.
Highly flexible, applicable to almost any job that requires an advanced degree or aligns with the exceptional ability criteria.
Cons
Requires employer sponsorship and a job offer in a specialty occupation.
The labor certification process (PERM) is lengthy and time-consuming.
Applicants are tied to the employer sponsoring the petition for most of the application process.
Slower processing times compared to other categories, particularly for applicants from certain countries.
Sponsorship
Required
Required
Validity period
2 years
Permanent residency
Renewable
Indefinitely, 2-year increments
Every 10 years
Without premium processing
2-3 months
Three stages, totaling about 36-48 months1
With premium processing
No
15 business days2
Can spouse work
Yes
Yes
Disclaimers
-
1Applicants from India, China, or Mexico may experience longer wait times.
2Available for only one stage of the process, with minimal impact on the overall processing time.
Type
E-3
Nonimmigrant visa
EB-2
Green card
Description
E-3
Specialty Occupation Professionals from Australia
EB-2
Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability
Profiles that typically qualify
E-3
Accountants, Computer analysts, Graphic designers, Pharmacists, Physical therapists, Engineers, Teachers, Lawyers, Environmental scientists
EB-2
Physicians, Engineers, Business analysts, IT professionals, Scientists, Professors and teachers, Physical therapists, Lawyers, Pharmacists
Requirements
E-3
You must be a citizen of Australia.
You must hold a 4-year bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience (three years of professional experience for each missing year of formal education).
The job must be a specialty occupation, requiring specialized knowledge typically obtained through a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes roles in fields like engineering, mathematics, and technology, where the complexity of the tasks necessitates advanced education.
The employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the position — a rate set by the U.S. Department of Labor based on the occupation, work location, and level of experience. This wage is not flexible and must be met at a minimum.
EB-2
You must hold an advanced degree (master's or higher), possess a bachelor's degree plus five years of progressive work experience, or demonstrate exceptional ability in your field by showing at least 3 of 6 requirements, such as maintaining membership in professional associations and earning recognition for your contributions to your industry from peers or professional organizations.
A job offer and labor certification (PERM) are required, proving that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the position.
Pros
E-3
Easy renewal process with the option to extend stay.
Far less competitive than the H-1B visa, as it does not require an annual lottery.
Requires minimal applicant qualifications beyond a college degree or professional experience.
EB-2
Provides complete flexibility to work, live, and study in the U.S.
Straightforward process with clear requirements.
Highly flexible, applicable to almost any job that requires an advanced degree or aligns with the exceptional ability criteria.
Cons
E-3
Requires employer sponsorship and a job offer in a specialty occupation.
EB-2
The labor certification process (PERM) is lengthy and time-consuming.
Applicants are tied to the employer sponsoring the petition for most of the application process.
Slower processing times compared to other categories, particularly for applicants from certain countries.
Sponsorship
E-3
Required
EB-2
Required
Validity period
E-3
2 years
EB-2
Permanent residency
Renewable
E-3
Indefinitely, 2-year increments
EB-2
Every 10 years
Without premium processing
E-3
2-3 months
EB-2
Three stages, totaling about 36-48 months1
With premium processing
E-3
No
EB-2
15 business days2
Can spouse work
E-3
Yes
EB-2
Yes
Disclaimers
E-3
-
EB-2
1Applicants from India, China, or Mexico may experience longer wait times.
2Available for only one stage of the process, with minimal impact on the overall processing time.