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US employer-sponsored immigration
US EB-2 Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability
People with a master’s degree or equivalent, or exceptional ability, can obtain a green card through US employer sponsorship.
Reviewed by Oscar Yip · Updated October 2026
Programme overview
EB-2 is the second US employment-based preference, for people with a master’s degree or higher (or a bachelor’s plus five years’ experience) or exceptional ability. A US employer normally offers a permanent full-time job and first completes the Department of Labor’s labour certification (PERM), showing no suitable US worker is available.
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InvestmentNo investment required
EmployerRequired, with labour certification
EducationMaster’s, or bachelor’s plus five years’ experience
FamilySpouse and unmarried children under 21
Summary
The EB-2 employer route requires a master’s degree (or bachelor’s plus five years’ experience) or exceptional ability, and a permanent full-time US job that requires those qualifications. The employer completes labour certification (PERM), files the I-140, and you then apply for a green card when your priority date is current.
Key benefits of EB-2
- A green card through work — no investmentBased on a permanent full-time US job offer; no investment or business background needed.
- A route without a master'sExceptional ability (meeting at least three of six criteria) also qualifies, without a master's degree.
- Apply directly from overseasNo US work visa needed first: once the I-140 is approved and your date is current, you interview at a US consulate.
- I-140 premium processing: 15 business daysWith premium processing, USCIS must approve, deny or request evidence within 15 business days.
- Keep your priority dateAn approved I-140 generally keeps its priority date; after 180 days it is not revoked automatically if the employer withdraws.
- Change jobs while you waitOnce the I-485 has been pending 180 days, you can move to a same or similar job without a new PERM or I-140.
- File I-485 at the same time in the USIf you are in the US and a visa is available, file I-140 and I-485 together and apply for work and travel permits.
- Spouse and children get green cards tooYour spouse and unmarried children under 21 come with you as derivatives and become permanent residents.
- 10-year green card; citizenship after five yearsNo conditional stage; apply for citizenship after five years, and green-card-holding children under 18 living with you in the US become citizens automatically.
Why Global Immigrate for EB-2
- families approved
- 12+
- approval rate
- 97%
- offering this programme since
- 2020
GI Group recruitment network
GI Group has its own recruitment team to help match you with suitable employers and roles — not just the visa paperwork.
End-to-end labour certification and visa support
One team coordinates the timeline from labour certification and the I-140 through to the green card.
Clear, transparent fees
All service fees and third-party costs are set out in writing before you sign — no hidden charges — and our refund terms are explained clearly.
Requirements
Applicants generally need to meet the following:
- 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
Our three guarantees
Full service-fee refund if refused
Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.
No extra charge for further documents or resubmission
If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.
Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing
Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.
Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.
Free EB-2 brochure
Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.
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If you can’t see it, please check your spam folder. A consultant may also contact you to answer any questions about the programme.
Application process
- Assessment and employer matchVariesWe assess your qualifications and confirm the employer and role.
- Labour certification (PERM)Per Department of Labor timelinesPrevailing wage determination, recruitment and filing of the labour certification.
- File I-140Premium processing about 15 working daysOnce the labour certification is approved, the employer files the I-140; premium processing is available.
- Green card stageDepends on visa backlogFile I-485 or attend a consular interview when your priority date is current.
Pathway to PR and citizenship
- Green card (permanent residence)Labour certification and I-140 first; usually about 3.5–4.5 years (longer for those born in mainland China)
You, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 receive ten-year green cards directly, with no conditional stage.
Keeping permanent statusThe US must be your permanent home; a trip of over 6 months may be questioned, and over 1 year is generally treated as abandoning the green card unless you hold a re-entry permit (up to 2 years)
- US citizenshipAfter 5 years as a green card holder
Apply to become a US citizen and get a US passport; you must pass the English and civics tests. The naturalisation oath includes renouncing allegiance to your former country; whether you keep your current nationality depends on that country’s own law (for example, the PRC does not recognise dual nationality).
Residence for citizenshipAt least 30 months physically in the US within the 5 years, with continuous residence; a single trip of over 6 months can break continuity, and you must live in your state for 3 months before applying
General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.
EB-2 client stories
Client storyConsidering NIW, then choosing employer sponsorship for a green card
Mr Lau’s EB-2 experience. He wanted green cards for the whole family.
Read the full storyClient storyA willing employer, and labour certification arranged step by stepMr Tsai’s EB-2 experience. He wanted a green card through his US employer’s sponsorship.
Read the full storyClient storyHelping the employer with the job description and recruitment, with no delaysMs Ho’s EB-2 experience. She wanted to move to the US through employer sponsorship.
Read the full storyCompared with other options: United States
See the United States overview| Programme | Investment | Status | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US EB-5 Investor Immigration | USD 800,000 (TEA) / USD 1,050,000 | Green card | I-526E: rural projects prioritised by law, timing depends on USCIS; others about 24–36 months | Families with funds who want to immigrate without education or employment requirements |
| US EB-1A Extraordinary Ability | No investment; no employer needed | Green card | I-140 premium processing (15 working days); green card depends on backlog | People with international or national acclaim in their field |
| US EB-2 NIW National Interest Waiver | No investment; no employer needed | Green card | I-140 premium processing (45 working days); green card depends on backlog | Researchers, doctors and professionals with a master’s degree |
| US EB-2 Advanced Degree / Exceptional AbilityThis programme | No investment; US employer sponsorship | Green card | Labour certification, then the visa backlog | Highly qualified people already hired by a US employer |
| US EB-3 Skilled Worker | No investment; US employer sponsorship | Green card | Labour certification, then the visa backlog | Professionals with a bachelor’s degree or two years’ relevant experience |
| US EB-3 Unskilled Worker | No investment; US employer sponsorship | Green card | Labour certification; backlog generally longer | People without formal qualifications willing to take a specified job |
EB-2 FAQ
Do I have to have a US employer?
Yes. If you would rather not depend on an employer, consider routes that need no employer sponsorship, 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.
Is there a visa backlog?
EB-2 backlogs depend on place of birth and are published in the monthly Visa Bulletin.
Can my children receive green cards too?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can receive green cards as derivative applicants. In some cases the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) protects children who are close to 21.
Sources
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