GREEN CARDS THROUGH EMPLOYMENT
This page explains how to obtain green cards through employment. During the past 30 years, the Law Offices of Carl Shusterman have assisted many thousands of individuals in obtaining green cards through employment. We also represent over 100 employers across the U.S., assisting them in sponsoring employees for both temporary working visas and green cards.
140,000 persons are permitted to become green card holders through the following employment-based (EB) preference categories each year:
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 perference 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.
Note that only employers of persons in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories may be required to undergo the PERM process in order to obtain green cards through employment for their employees. Persons is the EB-1, EB-4 and EB-5 categories are never required to use PERM in order to qualify for green cards.
We hope that the materials listed below assist you in learning more about Green Cards through Employment.
“Know their job well and perform it flawlessly. Don’t do the mistake we did and try to save few bucks going with nonprofessionals and solo practitioners! It will end up not only costing you much more in the long run, but also putting your status in jeopardy which can have a priceless impact. It is one of the most important steps in your life.” (More client reviews…)
Green Cards Through Employment is divided into the following sub-topics:
- General Information
- PERM Resources
- National Interest Waivers
- Videos
- Employment-Based Preference Categories
- Success Stories
General Information
- Green Card through a Job (USCIS)
- Petition Filing and Processing Procedures for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (USCIS)
- Employment-Based Adjustment of Status through Section 245(k)
- Employment Authorization Documents (EADs)
- Pending Employment-Based I-485 Inventory (USCIS)
- Questions & Answers: Pending Employment-Based Form I-485 Inventory (USCIS)
- Pending Employment-Based Form I-485 Report: Country-Specific (USCIS)
- Approval and Denial Statistics for I-140s, Immigrant Petitions for EB1-1 and EB1-2 Categories (2-28-11)
- AAO Decision: EB-3 Degree Equivalency (5-13-08)
- Failure to Appeal to the AAO: Does it Bar Federal Court Review? (2004)
Videos
- Green Cards Through Employment
This video discusses how to obtain permanent residence in the U.S. through employment and explains the different employment-based (EB) categories.
- Employment-Based Immigration:
An Overview
This video reviews the five employment-based categories through you can obtain a green card and suggests ways you can speed up your application.
Employment-Based Preference Categories
- EB-1 Eligibility and Filing (USCIS)
- EB-2 Eligibility and Filing (USCIS)
- EB-3 Eligibility and Filing (USCIS)
- EB-4 Eligibility and Filing (USCIS)
- EB-5 Green Cards Through Investment (USCIS)
SUCCESS STORIES

- Green Card for a Person of Extraordinary Ability (February 2010)
- Erroneous I-140 Denial is Overturned (May 2009)
- Establishing That a Job Offer is Permanent (June 2008)
- Saving a Scientist’s NIW from Revocation (September 2006)
- Brazilians Ride Skateboards to Wealth and Fame (January 2006)
- Researcher and Systems Engineer: “What a Difference a Day Made” (October 2005)
- Professional Athlete – “Curveball: The Immigration Officer Who Knew Too Much” (May 2005)
- Employment-Based Immigration: Cancer Research Center (March 2005)
- Engineers and Nurses (November 2004)
- Artist Wins Right to Stay in U.S.

