Employment-Based Green Card Lawyer

Are you looking to live a stable life in the United States? An employment-based green card could be your path to life in the U.S. You can secure permanent residency through work, allowing you to bring your talent and family to America without needing family sponsorship. Individuals from various professional backgrounds come to the U.S. under the EB-1 to EB-5 category, including top scientists, investors who create jobs, and other professionals.

Although an employment-based green card process can be complicated, when broken down, it becomes manageable. Most categories start with a job offer from a U.S. employer, while some allow you to apply on your own.

At Lira Bravo Law, our dedicated team of lawyers helps clients acquire employment-based green cards without any hassle. Our legal team will guide you through the complex employment-based green card process.

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Understanding the Employment-Based Green Card Process

To qualify for an employment-based green card, you must prove that you bring value to the U.S. economy. This process generally unfolds in three phases:

Labor Certification (PERM): To obtain a labor certification, your employer must show the Department of Labor that there are no qualified U.S. workers for the job. Categories like EB-1A or EB-1B, EB-1C, NIW, or EB-5 do not need labor certification.
Immigration Petition (Form I-140): This petition is filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to show that you satisfy the requirements of the EB category. Premium processing can reduce processing time to 15 days.

Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing: Check the monthly Visa Bulletin, and when your date becomes current, apply for a green card. If already in the U.S., fill out Form I-485 to adjust your status. If not, apply through a U.S. consulate abroad.

EB-1: For Extraordinary Talent

What Is an EB-1 Visa?

The EB-1 visa is reserved for the best in their field of profession. Unlike many employment-based categories, EB-1 often has visa availability for applicants from most countries.

EB-1A: You can apply for an EB-1A if you are a scientist, artist, athlete, or business leader with national or international acclaim. No job offer is required. And although an international award provides strong evidence, it is not enough proof on its own.
EB-1B: You can also apply for an EB-1B if you are an outstanding professor or researcher. To qualify, you must have three years of teaching or research experience in your field, international recognition, and a job offer from a U.S.-based company.
EB-1C: If you worked as a manager or executive overseas for at least one year in the last three years for a U.S.-related company, you qualify for an EB-1C. No labor certification is required.

You can file Form I-140 yourself for an EB-1A or through your employer for other employment-based green cards like EB-1B and EB-1C. Processing can vary depending on USCIS workload, but strong evidence is key. An EB-1 visa lawyer can help gather expert letters and use them to create a compelling story about your work.

EB-2: Advanced Skills and National Benefit

What Is an EB-2 Visa?

The EB-2 is perfect for applicants with advanced degrees, including doctors, engineers, and innovators.

Advanced Degree Professionals: For holders of an advanced degree, such as master’s or doctorate, or a bachelor’s degree plus five years of progressive experience.
Exceptional Ability: To qualify, you must prove yourself in at least three ways, such as 10 years of experience, licenses, high earnings, etc.

Normally, you need a PERM labor certificate and employer sponsor. Luckily, waivers make it flexible.

Schedule A: Nurses and physical therapists do not require certification to apply.
The National Interest Waiver (NIW) lets qualified individuals self-petition if their work benefits the U.S. economy.

While recent immigration reports show NIW approval trends in 2025 favor STEM fields, applicants should rely on official USCIS criteria instead of trends. Therefore, make sure to file I-140 along with your supporting documents, including degrees and recommendation letters. Consulting with an EB-2 lawyer can help ensure your NIW documentation is filed clearly and completely.

EB-3: For Skilled Workers

What Is an EB-3 Visa?

The EB-3 visa is categorized into three groups below. It is also very popular, so wait times can be long, but it is reliable.

EB-3 Visa Requirements

Skilled Workers: For jobs requiring two years of training or experience, like chefs or technicians, and are skilled workers.
Professionals: For holders of a bachelor’s degree, like teacher and accountant jobs.
Other Workers: For unskilled jobs requiring less than 2 years of training, like cleaners and farmhands.

All applicants require a full-time job offer and approved PERM. You can prove your qualifications with diplomas, letters of employment, or training certificates. Working with an EB-3 visa lawyer can ensure your filing meets USCIS requirements.

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EB-4: Special Paths for Unique Cases

What Is an EB-4 Visa?

The EB-4 visa is available for “special immigrants” like religious workers, broadcasters, and government employees abroad. The EB-4 visa requirements depend on your situation. That said, most individuals will need a sponsor to apply for this visa via Form I–360. The annual cap is 10,000, so timing matters. Refer to the USCIS Policy Manual for complete details.

EB-5: Invest in Your Future

What Is an EB-5 Visa?

The EB-5 visa turns capital into residency. The EB-5 visa allows foreign investors to obtain U.S. permanent residency by making a qualifying investment that creates jobs for U.S. workers.

To receive a conditional green card, an applicant must:

Make a qualifying investment in a U.S. business, and
Demonstrate the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for eligible U.S. workers.

Investment Amounts

$800,000 if the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area (generally rural areas or areas with high unemployment)
$1.05 million for investments in standard business locations

Direct Investment vs. Regional Center Investment

There are two primary ways to structure an EB-5 investment:

Direct EB-5 Investment
This involves investing in and typically operating your own business. In this model, the required jobs must be directly created by the business and filled by full-time employees on payroll.
Regional Center EB-5 Investment
This involves investing through a USCIS-approved regional center, often in large-scale projects such as real estate developments. In this structure, the job requirement may be met through indirect or induced job creation, as calculated using approved economic models.

Both options can lead to permanent residency if all program requirements are met.

After receiving your conditional status, submit the I-829 petition after two years to have these conditions removed. An EB-5 lawyer can organize documents required for the petition process, though the outcome depends on USCIS review.

Why Choose Lira Bravo Law, PLLC?

Lira Bravo Law, PLLC offers honest legal guidance tailored to your case. We help clients prepare documentation, track filing, and stay updated on case progress.

If you wish to explore eligibility or understand potential next steps, schedule a consultation with employment-based green card lawyer today!