The number of immigrants in the US keeps increasing every year. Different factors have contributed to the difficulty that most new immigrants face when moving to the country. Things have changed as the process is more complicated than before.

Immigrants make up a significant percentage of the country’s population and they are playing their role in the growth of the economy. Most Americans believe that there are strength and beauty in diversity.

The good thing is that it’s possible to immigrate to the United States legally. Although the rules and regulations are changing, people are entering the country based on work, education or family.

Work-Based

This is also known as employment-based. Permanent workers are often issued Visas EB 1-5 in the following categories.

·      EB-1 Visa: Employment-Based Extraordinary Ability/Outstanding Professor/Multinational Executive

Applicants don’t need a job offer for this visa. You only need to have extraordinary abilities in fields such as arts, athletics, sciences, and business. Professors, researchers, and multinational executives can also apply.

·      EB-2 Visa: Exceptional Ability or Advanced Degree

This type of visa requires a job offer and is designed for individuals in specialized professions like educators or doctors. You need an advanced degree or have what it takes to display exceptional ability in your chosen field.

·      EB-3 Visa: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers

Individuals that are not eligible for the first two categories can apply for this visa type. It’s meant for skilled professionals and generally other workers. You need a job offer to increase your chances. It’s better to focus on an industry where there is a shortage of American workers.

·      EB-4 Visa: Special Immigrants

This visa is targeted at religious workers and doesn’t require a job offer. Physicians, broadcasters, members of the armed forces and retired employees of NATO-6 and their family members can also apply for it.

·      EB-5 Visa: Immigrant Investors

This allows eligible immigrant investors to become permanent residents of the US legally. You will need to invest a minimum of $500,000 into a new commercial enterprise. This will be implemented as from November 2019.

The enterprise must offer full-time employment for at least 10 US-based workers. It’s imperative to meet the specific requirements to obtain the green card just like every other visa category.

There is no need to worry if you’re not eligible for any of the categories mentioned above. You can still consider the option below.

Employment-based: Job Offer

Most immigrants often try their best to secure a job before moving into the country. Once approved, such individual is required to obtain a labor certification from the Department of Labor (DOL) and file an Immigration Petition for Worker which is known as Form I-140.

Each country has a specific number of applicants that will be accepted into the US annually. Apart from that, the maximum slot available for each year is 140,000 immigrants.