E-3
VS
EB-5
Type
Nonimmigrant visa
Green card
Description
Specialty Occupation Professionals from Australia
Immigrant Investor Program
Profiles that typically qualify
Accountants, Computer analysts, Graphic designers, Pharmacists, Physical therapists, Engineers, Teachers, Lawyers, Environmental scientists
Entrepreneurs, Business owners, Investors
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.
Invest personal funds of $800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA), such as rural or high-unemployment areas and certain infrastructure projects, or $1,050,000 in non-TEA areas.
Create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers.
Provide detailed documentation verifying the lawful source and transfer path of the investment funds.
Maintain the investment for a minimum of two years.
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.
The only visa category that provides immigration status based on passive investment.
Does not require employer sponsorship, offering significant flexibility.
No specific educational or professional qualifications are required.
Allows for investment directly into new or existing businesses or through regional centers that pool funds for larger projects.
The only employment-based category allowing concurrent Green Card application filing for all nationalities.
Cons
Requires employer sponsorship and a job offer in a specialty occupation.
Requires a substantial financial investment.
The investment must be at risk, and job creation requirements must be met.
Initially issued a two-year conditional Green Card, requiring a subsequent application to demonstrate continued compliance with the program requirements.
Sponsorship
Required
Not required
Validity period
2 years
Permanent residency
Renewable
Indefinitely, 2-year increments
Every 10 years
Without premium processing
2-3 months
6-24 months1
With premium processing
No
No
Can spouse work
Yes
Yes
Disclaimers
-
1Timeframe to obtain conditional residence, with a similar timeframe for achieving permanent residence.
Type
E-3
Nonimmigrant visa
EB-5
Green card
Description
E-3
Specialty Occupation Professionals from Australia
EB-5
Immigrant Investor Program
Profiles that typically qualify
E-3
Accountants, Computer analysts, Graphic designers, Pharmacists, Physical therapists, Engineers, Teachers, Lawyers, Environmental scientists
EB-5
Entrepreneurs, Business owners, Investors
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-5
Invest personal funds of $800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas (TEA), such as rural or high-unemployment areas and certain infrastructure projects, or $1,050,000 in non-TEA areas.
Create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying U.S. workers.
Provide detailed documentation verifying the lawful source and transfer path of the investment funds.
Maintain the investment for a minimum of two years.
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-5
The only visa category that provides immigration status based on passive investment.
Does not require employer sponsorship, offering significant flexibility.
No specific educational or professional qualifications are required.
Allows for investment directly into new or existing businesses or through regional centers that pool funds for larger projects.
The only employment-based category allowing concurrent Green Card application filing for all nationalities.
Cons
E-3
Requires employer sponsorship and a job offer in a specialty occupation.
EB-5
Requires a substantial financial investment.
The investment must be at risk, and job creation requirements must be met.
Initially issued a two-year conditional Green Card, requiring a subsequent application to demonstrate continued compliance with the program requirements.
Sponsorship
E-3
Required
EB-5
Not required
Validity period
E-3
2 years
EB-5
Permanent residency
Renewable
E-3
Indefinitely, 2-year increments
EB-5
Every 10 years
Without premium processing
E-3
2-3 months
EB-5
6-24 months1
With premium processing
E-3
No
EB-5
No
Can spouse work
E-3
Yes
EB-5
Yes
Disclaimers
E-3
-
EB-5
1Timeframe to obtain conditional residence, with a similar timeframe for achieving permanent residence.