In a normal year, there are 140,000 Employment-Based Green Cards available. However, 2020 was not a normal year and over 150,000 relatives of US citizens and green card holders were unable to immigrate because US Embassies abroad were closed due to the pandemic. Ever year, there is a 226,000 family-based green card quota. If this is not reached, these remaining number rolls over into employment-based green cards available for the following year. That means, starting October 1, 2021, there will be over 290,000 employment-based green cards available, more than doubling what is available in a normal year.
This is great news for employers and foreign employees. Employment based green card holders have permanent resident status. They can travel freely both within and outside of the United States, their spouses and unmarried children under 21 are eligible to work in the United States, and their children can access the US school system.
Employment based green cards break down into five preference sections:
USCIS defines EB-1 workers as those with, “extraordinary abilities in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; Outstanding professors and researchers; or Certain multinational managers and executives.
EB-2 workers are professionals that work jobs that require attainment of a US Master’s degree or higher or its equivalent or have a National Interest Waiver, and EB-3 workers are skilled, unskilled, or other professionals. EB-4 and EB-5 are less common categories. EB-4 includes a variety of special immigrants, and EB-5 are immigrant investors.
If you or if your employee or client meets Employment Based Green Card eligibility requirements, this is the year to apply.
For a free review of your case visit www.ccifree.com before you file. We will respond in 4 hours or less.
Sheila Danzig
Sheila Danzig is the director of CCI TheDegreePeople.com. Sheila specializes in overturning RFEs and Denials for work visas.