E3 Visa
Specialty Occupation Workers from Australia
The E3 Visa is a unique visa category available only to Australian nationals, allowing them to work in the US in specialty occupations.
Key Features
- Specialty Occupation: The job must be a specialty occupation that requires theoretical and practical application of a body of specialized knowledge and a bachelor’s degree or higher in the specific specialty.
- Employer Sponsorship: Applicants must have a legitimate job offer from a US employer.
- Labor Condition Application: The US employer must file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor, certifying that they will pay the prevailing wage for the position.
Benefits and Limitations
- Two-Year Stay: The E3 Visa is initially granted for two years, with unlimited two-year extensions available.
- Family Inclusion: Spouses can apply for work authorization, and children can attend school.
- No Quota Restrictions: Unlike H1B visas, the E3 Visa category has a separate annual cap, which has historically not been exhausted.