Work with your sponsoring employer to organize the steps from labor certification to a green card. Explore prevailing wage and PERM paperwork, the EB-2 petition, and the forms for adjustment of status or consular processing.
FIND YOUR PATH
For eligible professionals with an advanced degree or its equivalent, or people with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business, with a qualifying permanent U.S. job offer. The employer sponsors this route and generally obtains PERM labor certification before filing I-140. Seeking a waiver of the job offer and labor certification? Explore the EB-2 National Interest Waiver application.
YOUR PAPERWORK, ORGANIZED
Start with the employer-led labor certification process, then the immigrant petition. The final green card forms depend on your location, eligibility, and visa availability.
The employer requests a prevailing wage determination for the offered position. Coordinate job duties, minimum requirements, work location, and wage information before recruitment and filing.
Review DOL prevailing wage guidanceThe employer completes the applicable recruitment and notice-of-filing steps, evaluates U.S. applicants, and retains the required recruitment report and supporting records. This stage involves more than completing a form.
Review DOL PERM requirementsThe employer files the Application for Permanent Employment Certification, including applicable appendices, with DOL. After certification, submit the required signed Final Determination with I-140 before the certification expires.
Review DOL PERM filing guidanceThis page outlines the standard PERM route. Qualifying Schedule A cases use a different process: the employer submits an uncertified ETA-9089, applicable appendices, signed Final Determination, and required supporting evidence directly to USCIS with I-140. Special rules also apply to certain college and university teachers. Review Schedule A guidance and the applicable DOL instructions.
Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers. The employer requests EB-2 classification with the required labor certification documentation and evidence that you meet the job requirements and EB-2 criteria. A PERM certification generally must be submitted with I-140 within 180 days of certification.
Open Fillvisa I-140Include the permanent job offer, job requirements, labor certification records, and evidence of the employer's continuing ability to pay the offered wage from the priority date. Coordinate the evidence with the employer and any legal representative.
Review USCIS I-140 instructionsGather academic records, any required credential evaluations, detailed experience letters, and applicable licenses. For exceptional ability, include evidence addressing the regulatory criteria and showing expertise significantly above that ordinarily encountered in your field.
Review EB-2 evidence guidanceRequest premium processing for an eligible I-140 petition. This is a separate request and fee; it does not expedite DOL labor certification, guarantee approval, or make a visa number available.
Open Fillvisa I-907Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, completed with your legal representative.
Open Fillvisa G-28You must be eligible to adjust status and have a visa available under the applicable USCIS filing chart. Concurrent filing with I-140 may be possible. An approved I-140 alone does not grant immigration status or work authorization.
Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Each eligible accompanying family member needs a separate application.
Open Fillvisa I-485Confirm the qualifying job offer with your employer when required for adjustment of status. Generally, it is not needed at initial filing when I-485 is filed together with the employer's I-140; USCIS may request it later.
View USCIS Supplement J instructionsReport of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. Follow current submission instructions.
View USCIS I-693 instructionsApply for employment authorization based on a pending adjustment application, if eligible.
Open Fillvisa I-765Apply for advance parole if eligible. Review travel restrictions before leaving the United States while adjustment is pending.
View USCIS I-131 instructionsCoordinate Supplement J with the sponsoring employer and follow the current filing instructions. I-864 is generally not required for employment-based adjustment, but may apply when a qualifying relative filed the petition or owns a significant interest in the petitioning business.
After petition approval, follow National Visa Center instructions as your case becomes eligible for processing. Visa availability also affects interview scheduling and issuance.
Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application. Complete online when instructed by the National Visa Center; each immigrating family member applies separately.
Open Department of State DS-260Gather passports, birth certificates, police certificates when required, and other documents requested by the National Visa Center and consulate.
Review civil document requirementsFollow your embassy or consulate instructions for a panel physician exam and visa interview. This is different from the U.S. adjustment-of-status I-693 process.
Review interview preparationAuthorize credit card payment for an eligible USCIS paper filing. Use the payment method accepted for your filing.
Open Fillvisa G-1450Authorize ACH payment for an eligible USCIS paper filing. Use this only when applicable; you do not need both payment authorizations.
Open Fillvisa G-1650Request acceptance notifications for eligible filings at a USCIS lockbox. Check the filing location and instructions first.
Open Fillvisa G-1145Check current form editions, fees, filing addresses, and payment requirements before submitting. Each form and family member may have separate fees and evidence requirements. USCIS and Department of State links open official instructions where a Fillvisa tool is unavailable.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Both the offered job and your qualifications must support EB-2 classification. The employer must meet the labor certification and petition requirements for the chosen route.
Get StartedFor the advanced-degree route, the job must require and you must possess a qualifying advanced degree or its equivalent. A U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent followed by at least five years of progressive experience in the specialty may qualify. A higher degree alone does not turn a lower-requirement job into an EB-2 position.
Alternatively, demonstrate exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business. Generally, submit evidence meeting at least three of six regulatory criteria and establish overall expertise significantly above the ordinary level; meeting three criteria alone does not guarantee eligibility.
The employer must offer a permanent, full-time position and generally obtain PERM certification after the required wage, recruitment, and notice steps. You must meet the job's stated education, experience, and other requirements by the applicable priority date.
The U.S. employer files I-140 and demonstrates its continuing ability to pay the offered wage from the priority date until permanent residence is obtained. This employer-sponsored route requires a qualifying job offer.
Official guidance: USCIS advanced degree and exceptional ability policy · I-140 instructions · Employment-based immigrant visas · Adjustment filing charts. Fillvisa provides form tools and general information, not legal advice.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Coordinate the process with your employer from the start. Labor certification, I-140, and the green card application are separate stages with their own requirements.
Prepare Form I-140Confirm the job requirements and your qualifications with the employer. Plan the prevailing wage determination, recruitment, notice, and ETA-9089 filing, or determine whether a special route applies.
After PERM certification, coordinate I-140 before the certification expires. Assemble the signed Final Determination, qualification records, and employer financial evidence, and decide whether to request premium processing.
Check visa availability and your eligibility for adjustment of status or consular processing. Include separate plans and applications for eligible spouses and unmarried children under 21.
