Foreign citizens may be sponsored for permanent residency by a U.S. employer. Employment-based permanent residency petitions are based on “priority dates.” This is the USCIS’s method of cross-referencing a foreign citizen’s country of birth with the “EB” category to determine whether, and when, a green card is available.
EB-1 Green Card
The EB-1 green card is for individuals of extraordinary ability, multi-national executives and managers, and outstanding researchers and professors.
EB-2 Green Card
The EB-2 green card is for foreign nationals of exceptional ability in the sciences, business, or arts; or for individuals with advanced degrees (J.D., Ph.D., MBA, etc.).
EB-3 Green Card
The EB-3 green card is for skilled works with at least two years of experience or training; for professionals with a U.S. bachelor’s degree; and for other unskilled workers.