Employment-Based Green Cards (EB-1 to EB-5): Permanent Residency Through Work

🛂 For foreign nationals seeking to live and work in the U.S. permanently, employment-based (EB) green cards provide a structured pathway to residency. From Nobel laureates to business investors, the EB categories cover a wide range of talent.

This guide breaks down the EB-1 through EB-5 green cards and how BorderlessLawyers can help secure your future in the U.S.

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Overview of Employment-Based Green Card Categories

🥇 EB-1: Priority Workers

• Who it’s for:

  • Individuals with extraordinary ability (science, arts, education, business, athletics)

  • Outstanding professors and researchers

  • Multinational executives and managers

• Highlights:

  • No labor certification required

  • Often eligible for premium processing

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📚 EB-2: Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability

• Who it’s for:

  • Professionals with advanced degrees (master’s or higher)

  • Individuals with exceptional ability in arts, science, or business

  • National Interest Waiver (NIW) for those who benefit the U.S. significantly

• Highlights:

  • Labor certification typically required (except NIW cases)

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⚒️ EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers

• Who it’s for:

  • Skilled workers (2+ years of experience)

  • Professionals (with bachelor’s degrees)

  • Unskilled workers (less than 2 years’ experience)

• Highlights:

  • Requires labor certification

  • Longer wait times due to visa backlogs

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🩺 EB-4: Special Immigrants

• Who it’s for:

  • Religious workers

  • U.S. government employees abroad

  • Members of the armed forces

  • Certain doctors, broadcasters, and others

• Highlights:

  • No employer sponsorship in some cases

  • Category-specific eligibility rules

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💼 EB-5: Immigrant Investors

• Who it’s for:

  • Foreign investors who invest $800,000 to $1,050,000 in a U.S. commercial enterprise

  • Must create or preserve 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers

• Highlights:

  • Direct and regional center options available

  • Conditional green card issued first, followed by permanent residency

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General Application Steps

1. 📄 Employer or applicant files Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition)

2. 🧾 Labor certification required for EB-2/EB-3 (via PERM process)

3. 📊 Wait for priority date to become current based on visa bulletin

4. 🗂️ File Form I-485 if already in the U.S. or complete consular processing abroad

5. ✅ Attend interview and receive green card approval

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How BorderlessLawyers Helps

• Case assessment to determine the most suitable EB category

• Full preparation of labor certification, I-140, and I-485 documents

• National Interest Waiver and EB-1A petition drafting

• Investment structure guidance for EB-5 applicants

• Legal representation throughout consular or adjustment of status processing

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FAQs

Q: Can I include my family in the application?
Yes, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can receive green cards as derivatives.

Q: Can I change employers during the green card process?
In some categories (like EB-1 or post-180 days after I-485 filing), yes—with restrictions.

Q: What is the wait time?
It depends on your EB category and country of birth. Some categories (e.g., EB-3 for India/China) have multi-year wait times.

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Build Your Future in the U.S. with BorderlessLawyers

From extraordinary professionals to visionary investors, we turn green card goals into reality with strategy, care, and precision.