EB-2
VS
EB-3
Type
Green card
Green card
Description
Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability
Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
Profiles that typically qualify
Physicians, Engineers, Business analysts, IT professionals, Scientists, Professors and teachers, Physical therapists, Lawyers, Pharmacists
Almost any worker
Requirements
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.
Must have a job offer and undergo labor certification (PERM), showing no available qualified U.S. workers.
Skilled Workers: Job offer requires at least 2 years of training or experience.
Professionals: Job offer requires a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent.
Other Workers: Job offer requiring less than 2 years of training or experience.
Pros
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.
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 aligns with your experience or qualifications based on its minimum requirements.
Cons
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.
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
Permanent residency
Permanent residency
Renewable
Every 10 years
Every 10 years
Without premium processing
Three stages, totaling about 36-48 months1
Three stages, totaling about 36-48 months1
With premium processing
15 business days2
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.
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
EB-2
Green card
EB-3
Green card
Description
EB-2
Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability
EB-3
Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
Profiles that typically qualify
EB-2
Physicians, Engineers, Business analysts, IT professionals, Scientists, Professors and teachers, Physical therapists, Lawyers, Pharmacists
EB-3
Almost any worker
Requirements
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.
EB-3
Must have a job offer and undergo labor certification (PERM), showing no available qualified U.S. workers.
Skilled Workers: Job offer requires at least 2 years of training or experience.
Professionals: Job offer requires a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent.
Other Workers: Job offer requiring less than 2 years of training or experience.
Pros
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.
EB-3
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 aligns with your experience or qualifications based on its minimum requirements.
Cons
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.
EB-3
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
EB-2
Required
EB-3
Required
Validity period
EB-2
Permanent residency
EB-3
Permanent residency
Renewable
EB-2
Every 10 years
EB-3
Every 10 years
Without premium processing
EB-2
Three stages, totaling about 36-48 months1
EB-3
Three stages, totaling about 36-48 months1
With premium processing
EB-2
15 business days2
EB-3
15 business days2
Can spouse work
EB-2
Yes
EB-3
Yes
Disclaimers
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.
EB-3
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.