Permanent Residence Based on Employment and Family
Employment-based immigration to the United States
We help employers and their employees figure out the right employment-based category for permanent residence.
There’s a lot at stake: money, time, and an employee’s future. In some cases, it’s also about the future of the employee’s family. With so much at stake, the slow-moving permanent residence process can be stressful. We get it. We try to find the fastest way to permanent residence for your employees.
Sponsoring an employee for permanent residence, which results in a green card, is a multi-step process, which can take several years to complete. The three most common categories for employment-based ("EB") sponsorship are as follows, each of which has subcategories.
EB-1 Priority Workers
1. Individuals with Extraordinary Ability
2. Outstanding Professors and Researchers
3. International Managers or Executives
EB-2
1. Professionals with Advanced Degrees
2. Individuals working in the National Interest
EB-3
1. Skilled Workers
2. Professionals
3. Other workers (typically unskilled labor that is not temporary)
For EB-2 and EB-3 cases, a test of the U.S. labor market is normally required, and we guide clients through this complex process of labor certification with the Department of Labor. We also help with applications for permanent residence for the employee’s accompanying family members. For employees who are abroad or wish to apply for their immigrant visas overseas, we assist with visa processing at U.S. Consulates (“consular processing”). Here is our overview of the permanent residence process based on a test of the labor market.
Family-based immigration to the United States
Family-based immigration has been a cornerstone of US immigration policy for decades. The following categories of relatives are eligible for sponsorship:
F-1 category: unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
F2-A category: spouses and children under 21 of lawful permanent residents
F2-B category: unmarried adult children (over 21) of lawful permanent residents
F-3 category: married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
F-4 category: siblings of U.S. citizens
We particularly enjoy family-based cases, and have extensive experience (and success) with such applications. Nadia immigrated to the United States through family, so she understands the challenges of the process. If the relative being sponsored faces a legal obstacle to obtaining permanent residence, we help identify and obtain waivers.
Related Resources
Each month, we write a detailed blogpost on the Department of State's monthly visa bulletin, tracking progress in both the employment and family-based categories. Please email us if you would like to get these posts.
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