American Visa Bureau   »   American Immigration   »   Employment Based Preference Visa   »  EB2 Visa

Second Employment Preference: EB2 Visa

The EB2 Visa is the second employment based preference allowing aliens of exceptional ability gain permanent residence in America. To qualify as an alien of exceptional ability you must have an advanced degree or equivalent in a professional field, or exceptional ability in science, art or business.

For this category, a job offer for a position requiring at least an advanced degree and labor certification with the Department of Labor is required unless the USCIS waives the requirement in the national interest. In some cases, the applicant does not need an advanced degree for their job offer if they can show they hold a baccalaureate degree and have 5 years of progressive experience in their field.

EB2 Visa

Ability Requirements
Advanced Degree or Equivalent To qualify you must provide:
  • An official academic record showing an American advanced degree or foreign equivalent degree;
  • An official academic record showing an American baccalaureate degree or foreign equivalent degree; and
  • Evidence in the form of letters from current or former employers stating they have at least 5 years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience in the speciality.
Exceptional Ability in the Sciences, Arts or Business To qualify you must provide 3 of the following:
  • An official academic record showing the alien has a degree, diploma, certificate, or similar award from a college, university, school, or other institution of learning relating to the area of exceptional ability;
  • Evidence in the form of letters from current or former employers showing they have at least 10 years of full-time experience in the occupation;
  • A licence to practice the profession or certification for a particular profession or occupation;
  • Evidence they have commanded a salary or other remuneration for services that demonstrate exceptional ability;
  • Evidence of membership in a professional association; or
  • Evidence of recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the industry or field by peers, governmental entities or professional or business organisations.

In some instances, a person will be accepted as having an equivalent of an advanced degree if that person has at least 5 years progressive experience in the profession beyond the bachelor's degree. The applicant must also show they have ability beyond the basic qualification in their field to successfully obtain an EB2 Visa.