Employment-Based Petition Categories refer to specific pathways within immigration law that allow foreign nationals to obtain employment-related visas or green cards based on their skills, qualifications, and job opportunities in the United States. These categories are designed to attract and retain talent, bolster the U.S. economy, and fill specialized roles that cannot easily be fulfilled by the domestic workforce alone. The Employment-Based Petition categories are typically numbered EB-1 through EB-5 and are organized by priority and eligibility criteria:

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1. EB-1: Priority Workers

   • EB-1A: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability in the fields of science, arts, education, business, or athletics.

   • EB-1B: Outstanding Professors and Researchers with demonstrated international recognition in their respective fields.

   • EB-1C: Multinational Managers and Executives transferring to a U.S. branch of their company.

2. EB-2: Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability

   • EB-2A: Professionals with advanced degrees or equivalent experience.

   • EB-2B: Individuals with exceptional ability in arts, sciences, or business.

3. EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers

   • EB-3A: Skilled workers with at least two years of training or experience.

   • EB-3B: Professionals with bachelor's degrees or foreign equivalents.

   • EB-3C: Other workers in positions that require less than two years of training or experience.

4. EB-4: Special Immigrants

   • This category includes a variety of individuals such as religious workers, broadcasters, Afghan/Iraqi translators, and more.

5. EB-5: Immigrant Investors

   • EB-5 program provides a pathway to permanent residency for investors who make a qualifying investment in a new commercial enterprise that creates jobs for U.S. workers.         

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The PERM process, also known as Program Electronic Review Management process, is a critical step in the U.S. employment-based immigration system. It is a prerequisite for most employment-based green card categories, including the EB-2 and EB-3 categories, which cover skilled workers, professionals, and other workers. The PERM process is overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and involves obtaining a labor certification for a foreign worker.

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Each category has specific eligibility requirements, application processes, and annual numerical limits. Employment-Based Petition categories play a crucial role in attracting skilled professionals, investors, and workers who contribute to the economic growth and diversity of the United States.

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