What is an EB-2 visa?

The EB-2 visa is one of the most popular and accessible employment-based Green Card options for skilled professionals. It’s designed for people with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in their field, from engineers and scientists to business professionals, designers, researchers, and entrepreneurs.

For many applicants already in the U.S. on work visas like H-1B, F-1, or J-1, the EB-2 category offers a strong long-term path to permanent residency.

The EB-2 visa is an employment-based, second-preference Green ... for people who bring valuable professional skills to the U.S.

Some EB-2 applicants are sponsored by their employer, who must... permanent labor certification (sometimes called PERM) from the Department of Labor on behalf of the applicant.

Other applicants may qualify to self-petition through a National Interest Waiver (NIW) (./eb2niw-visa), which allows you to apply without a job offer.

How do I qualify for the EB-2 visa?

The main pathways to getting an EB-2 visa are through employer... Schedule A, a category for occupations with proven labor shortages.

Under federal immigration law, an EB-2 case doesn’t require th...n, the I-140 petition, and the adjustment of status application.

Your employer must complete PERM labor certification first, wh...he role but couldn’t, and your salary meets fair wage standards.

The process starts with the employer requesting a prevailing w...ubmits the PERM application (Form ETA-9089) to the DOL. Once the Labor Certification is approved, the employer can file for the...ll be established at the time of filing the Labor Certification.

EB-2 visa applicants also need to have advanced degrees or pro... “significantly above that ordinarily encountered” in your field.

• A U.S. master’s degree or higher, or a foreign equivalent— or
• A U.S. bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), plus at least 5 years of progressive experience in your field post-graduation

USCIS requires meeting at least three of the following criteria:

• A degree or other academic award related to your field
• At least 10 years of full-time experience
• A professional license or certification
• A high salary compared to others in your field
• Membership in professional associations
• Awards or recognition for your achievements

This standard is intended for high-achieving professionals wi... business leader with a strong record of excellence in industry.

Employers do not need to receive an approved labor certificat... Department of Labor has determined that there is a shortage of U.S. workers available to fill them. These jobs are called Sc... immigrant workers with exceptional ability in sciences and arts.

If you're eligible, Schedule A essentially streamlines the ea...ed PERM application before submitting your immigration petition.

If your work is in the national interest of the U.S., you can... This pathway, called the EB-2 NIW, allows you to self-petition.

You still need to meet the baseline EB-2 requirement of having an advanced degree or showing exceptional skills.

Plus, you must meet all of the following:

• Your proposed work has substantial merit and national importance.
• Your experience in your endeavor demonstrates that you are well-positioned to advance your work.
• It would be in the U.S.'s national interest to waive the job ... offer and labor certification, which require employer sponsorship.

While USCIS doesn’t define which endeavors meet the standard ...ure, or founders of startups making crucial innovations in tech.

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What are the benefits of an EB-2 visa?

• Flexible process : You can qualify through employer sponsorship...rest Waiver (NIW) if you don’t want to be tied to a job offer.
• Family-friendly: Once your EB-2 visa process is underway, your...ing, and building a future in the U.S. as permanent residents.
• Pathway alignment: EB-2 visa requirements can overlap with tho...ies, that background may make it easier to meet EB-2 criteria.
• Green Card: The EB-2 isa direct route to permanent residency. ...u can apply without needing to maintain temporary visa status.

What are the steps to apply for an EB-2 visa?

The EB-2 Green Card process involves several stages, and the e...h controls when you can move forward with the final application.

1. If applying through EB-2 PERM, your employer typically must obtain labor certification through the U.S. Department of Labor.
2. If applying under EB-2 NIW, you don’t need PERM certification.
3. If filing under Schedule A, your employer still needs t... don’t need to wait for approval to file your immigrant petition.
4. File Form I-140. This must be approved by USCIS before you can apply to receive your Green Card, and it establishes your priority date.
5. Wait for your priority date to become current via the monthly Visa Bulletin.
6. File the final Green Card application: adjustment of status (Form I-485) if inside the U.S., or consular processing (Form DS-260 + interview) if outside the U.S.

The final step is filing for an adjustment of status (AOS) or... consular processing, depending on where you are physically located.

If you applied inside the U.S., USCIS will mail your physical Green Card shortly after approval.

If you applied from outside the U.S., you’ll receive an immig...d then your Green Card will be mailed to you within a few weeks.

How much does an EB-2 visa cost?

One main cost of applying for an EB-2 visa is the Form I-140 f... From there, the costs differ based on where you’re filing from.

➡️ Important: The listed filing fees here are accurate as of ...h USCIS and your consulate/embassy for the most up-to-date fees.

You don’t have to hire an immigration attorney for an EB-2 ca...makes the process much smoother and helps avoid costly mistakes.

The investment often pays for itself in peace of mind and a s...mmigration policies and can help guide you through the legalese.

They can address any issues from USCIS on your behalf and com...ith your employer to keep the EB-2 application process on track.

If you want a case strategy built around your background—not ... USCIS requirements. Request a consultation with Keller today.

How long does it take to get an EB-2 visa?

The timeline for getting an EB-2 visa can depend on whether yo...as well as where you’re applying from, and your birth country.

The PERM process—which includes a prevailing wage determinatio...pproval by the Department of Labor could take up to two years.

The current processing time for I-140 immigrant petitions is a...ths, and Schedule A nurse-applicants may wait up to 21 months.

With premium processing (for an additional fee), USCIS guarant...usiness days for the national interest waiver, if you qualify.

But remember, you still need to wait for your priority date to...s, this wait can be the longest part of the EB-2 visa process.

Even though long processing times can feel discouraging, there...o stay and work in the U.S. while waiting for your green card.

The U.S. State Department publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin th..., but dates can move forward and backward depending on demand.

Backlogs are especially common for certain countries, where fa... Indian applicants and over four years for Chinese applicants.

If your wait time looks unusually long, you may want to consid...tives, like applying under the EB-1 category (if you qualify).

What options are there for families of EB-2 visa holders?

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 are typically eligible... with you as derivative beneficiaries, depending on your stage.

Once the underlying process reaches the Green Card application... they can generally apply for permanent residence alongside you.

If applying from inside the U.S., dependents typically file I-... and may qualify for work authorization while the case is pending.

If processing through a U.S. consulate, dependents typically co... you for interviews and receive immigrant visas as derivatives.

Transitioning to an EB-2 from another visa

Many EB-2 applicants start in the U.S. on a temporary status (... and later pursue permanent residence through an employer or NIW.

Strategy and timing matter—especially around maintaining status... and aligning with a long-term PERM/I-140/priority date timeline.

In some cases, concurrent filing may be possible when priority... dates are current (availability varies by category and country).

Because these issues are fact-specific, it’s common to evaluat...e the EB-2 path alongside other options (including EB-1).

Next steps for EB-2 Green Card

The EB-2 process is document- and evidence-heavy, and outcomes... often depend on how clearly you present eligibility and job duties.

If sponsored, coordination with an employer on PERM and support...ing documentation is critical to avoid delays and denials.

If pursuing NIW, the focus shifts to your proposed endeavor and... evidence that it has substantial merit and national importance.

Regardless of pathway, tracking priority dates and planning for... the final filing stage is essential for a realistic timeline.

If you want guidance, consider speaking with counsel about the... strongest category and evidence strategy for your background.

Take the First Step:

🔍 Unsure if EB-2 is right for you?

You don’t have to figure it out alone. At Keller Law, our immigration attorneys build visa strategies around you—your achievements, your goals, and your vision for life in the U.S. We’ll help you chart the smartest path forward, not just file the paperwork.

Learn more about working with our experienced EB-2 Green Card lawyers (../eb2-perm-visa).

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