Chapter 2 - Eligibility Requirements
The employment-based immigrant classifications are comprised of the following categories of workers:
- First preference workers, including persons of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, and multinational executives or managers (EB-1);[1]
- Second preference workers, including members of the professions holding advanced degrees and persons of exceptional ability (EB-2);[2] and
- Third preference workers, including skilled workers, professionals, and other workers (EB-3).[3]
The following table outlines the eligibility requirements that must be met in order for a noncitizen to obtain permanent residence in the United States based on employment.
| General Eligibility Requirements for Employment-Based Immigration |
|---|
| If a job offer is required, the petitioning employer meets the classification-specific requirements and has the ability to pay the proffered wage.[4] |
| The beneficiary qualifies under one of the employment-based immigrant classifications.[5] |
| Where applicable, the beneficiary has an individual permanent labor certification application approved by the U.S. Department of Labor or seeks a Schedule A blanket labor certification.[6] |
Footnotes
[^ 1] See INA 203(b)(1).
[^ 2] See INA 203(b)(2).
[^ 3] See INA 203(b)(3).
[^ 4] For more information about employer requirements, see Part F, Employment-Based Classifications [6 USCIS-PM F]. For information about employers that are successors to the entity that filed the labor certification application, see Chapter 3, Successor-in-Interest in Permanent Labor Certification Cases [6 USCIS-PM E.3]. For information on ability to pay, see Chapter 4, Ability to Pay [6 USCIS-PM E.4]. Finally, see Business Structures.
[^ 5] See Part F, Employment-Based Classifications [6 USCIS-PM F].
[^ 6] See INA 212(a)(5). This requirement only applies to EB-2 and EB-3 classifications. See INA 212(a)(5)(D). For individual applications, see Chapter 6, Labor Certification [6 USCIS-PM E.6]. For Schedule A blanket certification, see Chapter 7, Schedule A Designation Petitions [6 USCIS-PM.E.7].