EB-2 – Advanced Degree Professional
Basic Requirements:
This second-preference, employment-based visa status is intended for professionals with advanced degrees. To be eligible, applicants must hold an advanced degree (or some equivalent of experience or education). In addition, qualified applicants must be applying to a position that has a minimum requirement for an advanced degree or comparable level of experience. To be considered to possess an equivalent to a master’s degree, applicants must at least hold a bachelor’s degree and five years of progressive experience.
Application Process:
Under normal circumstances, employers are required to first obtain labor certification (PERM) from the United States Department of Labor for the applicant. Once labor certification has been obtained, applicants (except those from China and India) have normally been allowed to file their application and petition without having to further wait for numerical availability. This immediate availability is expected to continue for applicants from most countries.
Family Members:
Under the derivative status of this visa, the children and spouse of the primary beneficiary will be eligible to obtain green cards that will allow them to enter and remain in the United States. Children must be under the age of 21 and unmarried to be eligible under this derivative status.
Fees:
At the Law Office of William Jang, PLLC, our Austin immigration attorneys charge the following in attorney’s fees when filing from within the United States at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)(please take a moment to look over this disclaimer), in addition to the filing fee that is currently charged by the USCIS to apply for this visa status:
EB-2 without National Interest Waiver (NIW)
Step 1—Labor Certification:
- $3,000 attorney’s fees
- The cost to advertise this position (varies)
Step 2—Permanent Residency Petition:
- $3,000 attorney’s fees
- $715 USCIS filing fee for Employment Petition
- $300 USCIS Asylum Fee ($600 for large companies*) ($0 for nonprofit)
- $2,805 USCIS premium processing fee (optional)
* Large Companies are companies with more than 25 employees in the U.S
Step 3:–Adjustment of Status (if already in the U.S.):
- $2,500 attorney’s fees
- $1,500 attorney’s fees for each family member
- $1,440 USCIS filing fee for Adjustment of Status for each person
- $260 USCIS Employment Authorization Document for each person (optional)
- $630 USCIS Advance Parole for each person(optional)
Consular Processing (if outside of the U.S.):
- $4,000 attorney’s fees for the principal beneficiary
- $1,500 attorney’s fees for each family member
- $325 Consular Processing fee per person
- $220 Permanent Resident Card
EB-2 with National Interest Waiver (NIW)
Step 1—Permanent Residency Petition:
- $8,000 attorney’s fees
- $715 USCIS filing fee for Employment Petition
- $300 USCIS Asylum Fee ($600 for large companies*) ($0 for nonprofit)
- $2,805 USCIS premium processing fee (optional)
* Large Companies are companies with more than 25 employees in the U.S.
Step 2:–Adjustment of Status (if already in the U.S.):
- $2,500 attorney’s fees
- $1,500 attorney’s fees for each family member
- $1,440 USCIS filing fee for Adjustment of Status for each person
- $260 USCIS Employment Authorization Document for each person (optional)
- $630 USCIS Advance Parole for each person(optional)
Consular Processing (if outside of the U.S.):
- $4,000 attorney’s fees for the principal beneficiary
- $1,500 attorney’s fees for each family member
- $325 Consular Processing fee per person
- $220 Permanent Resident Card
Experience:
If you plan on applying for this EB-2 visa status, the Austin immigration attorneys at the Law Office of William Jang, PLLC, have the experience and resources you will need to ensure that your application is as complete as possible. To discuss the particulars of your situation with one of our Austin attorneys, please call our Austin offices at (512) 323-2333 today.
What will I need to begin the process?
Information and Documents needed for EB-2 Advanced Degreed Professionals
