Overview of US Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Categories

The United States allocates about 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas each fiscal year, from October 1 to September 30, divided into five preference categories to facilitate pathways to permanent residency for foreign nationals with specialized skills, professional qualifications, and investment capacity. The categories include: EB-1 for priority workers and individuals with extraordinary abilities in various fields; EB-2 for advanced degree professionals and those with exceptional abilities; EB-3 for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers; EB-4 for certain special immigrants, including religious workers and interpreters; and EB-5 for immigrant investors who invest qualifying capital in U.S. businesses.

Eligible spouses and children of approved applicants may also qualify to accompany or later join the principal beneficiary.