Permanent Visas Through Employment

Employment-Based Visas for Residency

Because employers in the United States cannot always find the skilled workers they need among jobseekers, U.S immigration law allows people with certain skills and talents to become lawful permanent residents. However, bringing the people that U.S. businesses need to have here, without delay, requires careful strategy and planning.

At Van Der Hout, Brigagliano & Nightingale, the difference we make for our business visa clients can be seen in the exacting attention to detail we show in our work and in the results we provide to our clients. We provide comprehensive business visa and employment sponsored immigration services to clients in California, the United States, and the world in the following permanent business visa categories, ranked in order of priority of need by U.S. employers and the economy:

• First Preference (EB-1): this category includes immigrants of “extraordinary ability” in their field of endeavor, outstanding professors and researchers, and certain multinational executives and managers.
• Second Preference (EB-2): business visa reserved for members of the professions holding advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability
• Third Preference (EB-3): reserved for skilled workers and professionals (applicants whose employment requirements demand at least a bachelor’s degree or 2 years of work experience)
• Third Preference (EB-3-OW): reserved for workers whose employment requires an educational level less than a bachelor’s degree or employment experience under two years
• Fourth Preference (EB-4): this category is generally composed of certain religious workers, such as ministers and other religious functionaries
• Fifth Preference (EB-5): reserved for those who make a substantial investment ($1 million or more) in a business that also creates employment for at least 10 workers

In most cases, obtaining a permanent business visa requires that the individual or business take specific steps, and demonstrate certain facts through the process known as PERM labor certification. Our lawyers can help you to understand how this often complicated process works and how to navigate it with efficiency and success. In exceptional cases, the labor certification process may be waived.

Contacting Our Bay Area Law Offices

For more information about the business visa categories and how our firm can assist you—call or contact us directly at our San Francisco, California, law offices to schedule an appointment. Initial consultations are provided at a rate discounted from our standard fee.

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