Every employment-based pathway to U.S. permanent residence
Nine categories, one distinction that matters first: whether you can file for yourself, or whether you need a U.S. employer to file for you.
Self-petition — you are the petitioner
You are the petitioner
No employer, no job offer, no sponsor. You file on the strength of your own record. This is where most people who find us belong.
Extraordinary Ability
For people at the top of their field who can document it. No employer, no job offer, and the fastest of the employment-based green cards.
You file it yourself
EB-2 NIWNational Interest Waiver
For people whose work is in the national interest of the United States. Waives both the job offer and the labor certification — so you file it yourself.
You file it yourself
Employer-sponsored — a U.S. company petitions for you
A company is the petitioner
Here the petitioner is the company, not you. That changes the timeline, the cost and who signs. Some of these begin at the Department of Labor rather than USCIS.
Outstanding Professor or Researcher
For academics and researchers with international recognition. No labor certification — but a U.S. employer has to file it.
Your employer files it
EB-1CMultinational Manager or Executive
For managers and executives transferred into a U.S. company from a related company abroad. No labor certification.
The U.S. company files it
EB-2 (PERM)Advanced Degree with Labor Certification
The standard employer route for advanced-degree roles. Begins at the Department of Labor, not USCIS, and the employer drives it.
Your employer files it
EB-3Skilled Workers and Professionals
For professionals with a bachelor's degree and skilled workers with at least two years of training or experience. Also runs through PERM.
Your employer files it
The bridge — temporary status while the green card is built
Temporary, on the way there
Not permanent residence. The O-1 is how many people stay and keep working in the U.S. while an EB-1A record matures.
Extraordinary Ability — Sciences, Business, Athletics
Not a green card. The temporary visa many people use to live and work in the U.S. while an EB-1A record matures.
An employer or agent files it
O-1BExtraordinary Ability — Arts, Film and Television
The O-1 for artists and for film and television professionals. A different standard from O-1A, and a different evidence set.
An employer or agent files it
L-1AIntracompany Transferee — Executive or Manager
For someone already working for the company abroad who moves to its U.S. office to run it. The only temporary visa with a direct permanent twin.
The U.S. company files it
L-1BIntracompany Transferee — Specialized Knowledge
The same transfer, for someone whose value is what they know rather than who they manage. Five years maximum, and the hardest definition to document in this catalogue.
The U.S. company files it
H-1BSpecialty Occupation
The best-known U.S. work visa, and the one with a lottery in front of it. A degree-level role, an employer willing to file, and luck.
A U.S. employer files it
E-2Treaty Investor
For nationals of treaty countries investing in a U.S. business. Renewable with no limit — and, on its own, not a route to a green card.
You apply, usually at a consulate
Find out where your record stands
The assessment is free and reads your record against the standard USCIS applies. You get a written answer — including when the answer is that this is not your pathway yet.