Their permanent residence (otherwise known as “greencards”) through employment. This is a multistep process that is generally very complex. Depending on the kind of case, this process can take years. In most cases the employer must file a Labor Certification application with the Department of Labor before proceeding with the USCIS.

At the Immigrant Petition stage, the cases are broken into various categories as follows:

The EB-1 preference category consists of (1) persons of extraordinary ability, (2) outstanding professors and researchers and (3) executives and managers of multinational employers.

The EB-2 preference category consists of (1) persons of exceptional ability and (2) persons whose jobs require an advanced university degree or its equivalent. Most EB-2 petitions require that an employer obtain the approval of a PERM application from the U.S. Department of Labor before sponsoring the person for lawful permanent residence.

The EB-3 preference category consists of (1) professionals, (2) skilled workers and (3) unskilled workers. Most EB-3 petitions require that an employer obtain the approval of a PERM application from the U.S. Department of Labor before sponsoring the person for permanent residence.=

The EB-4 preference category consists of (1) religious workers and (2) other “special immigrants”.

The EB-5 preference category consists of investors.