Employment Based Preferences for Permanent Residence

FIRST PREFERENCE Includes:

1. Intra-Company Transfers – Executive or Managers
2. Outstanding Professors and Researchers
3. "Extraordinary Ability" in the sciences, arts, education, Business and athletics

Note: Categories 1 & 2 do not require a labor certification7 Category 3 does not require a labor certification or offer of employment.

SECOND PREFERENCE Includes:

1. Professionals with advanced degrees
2. Aliens of "Exceptional Ability" in the sciences, arts or business

Note: both categories require an offer of employment and a labor certification unless a "National Interest Waiver" is obtained.

THIRD PREFERENCE Includes:

1. Professionals with bachelor's degrees
2. Skilled workers filing positions requiring at least two years of training and experience
3. Unskilled workers

Note: All three categories require an offer of employment and a labor certification. Category 3 is subject to a long waiting period.

FOURTH PREFERENCE

• Special Immigrants include qualified ministers and religious workers and certain other categories of limited applicability

FIFTH PREFERENCE

• Investors who invest at least $1,000,000. in an active U.S. business which employs at least 10 persons. In designated areas of high unemployment, investments of $500,000. with creation of 10 jobs may qualify. Conditional residence is granted for two years. If investment and employment continues beyond two years permanent residence is granted

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