What they share
Both are US employer-sponsored routes:
- The employer completes labour certification (PERM), showing no suitable US worker is available
- The employer files the I-140
- You apply for a green card when your priority date is current
Education requirements
- EB-2: a master’s or higher, or bachelor’s plus five years’ relevant experience; or exceptional ability
- EB-3: a bachelor’s degree, or at least two years of relevant training or experience
Backlogs
Each category has its own backlog by place of birth, so waits can differ — check the monthly Visa Bulletin. Sometimes EB-3 is shorter, so EB-2-eligible applicants may consider EB-3.
Prefer not to rely on an employer?
Highly qualified people or those with outstanding achievements can consider EB-2 NIW or EB-1A, with no employer sponsorship.
EB-2 at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Investment | No investment required |
| Employer | Required, with labour certification |
| Education | Master’s, or bachelor’s plus five years’ experience |
| Family | Spouse and unmarried children under 21 |
EB-2 application process and timing
- Assessment and employer match (Varies): We assess your qualifications and confirm the employer and role.
- Labour certification (PERM) (Per Department of Labor timelines): Prevailing wage determination, recruitment and filing of the labour certification.
- File I-140 (Premium processing about 15 working days): Once the labour certification is approved, the employer files the I-140; premium processing is available.
- Green card stage (Depends on visa backlog): File I-485 or attend a consular interview when your priority date is current.
Main EB-2 requirements
- A master’s degree or higher, or a bachelor’s degree plus five years of relevant experience; or exceptional ability
- A permanent full-time US job offer that requires those qualifications
- The employer completes labour certification (PERM)
- The employer can pay the offered wage
Key benefits of EB-2
- Move to the US in a formal employment role
- No investment required
- Green cards for the whole family
- Clear education requirements and a well-defined process
More questions about EB-2
Do I have to have a US employer? Yes. If you would rather not depend on an employer, consider self-petition routes such as EB-2 NIW or EB-1A.
How long does labour certification take? Labour certification involves several stages; processing times follow the Department of Labor’s latest timelines.
Next step
Every family’s background, funds and timeline are different. Global Immigrate’s professional consultants can assess, free of charge, whether this programme suits you and compare other options. You can also request the full programme brochure on the programme page.
Learn more: US EB-2 Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability