Permanent Immigrant Worker Status

People who want to live and work permanently in the U.S. must apply for an immigrant visa. Up to 140,000 of these visas are awarded each year to immigrants who have certain skills, experience, or education. To qualify for this visa, prospective workers must generally fall into at least one of five categories, which are ranked by order of preference.

If you or a loved one is interested in working permanently in the United States and is in need of legal advice or assistance, an Austin immigration attorney from the Law Offices of William Jang, PLLC, can help. To learn more, contact our offices today by calling 512-323-2333.

Permanent Workers

The permanent immigrant worker categories include:

• First preference: Individuals with outstanding accomplishments or extraordinary abilities in the arts, sciences, business, or other professional fields.
• Second preference: Individuals with advanced degrees and exceptional abilities in the arts, sciences, or business that are sponsored by a U.S. employer.
• Third preference: Professionals and skilled workers who are sponsored by a U.S. employer.
• Fourth preference: “Special immigrants,” which may include certain workers in religious fields, U.S. foreign service officers, or minors who are wards of the U.S. court.
• Fifth preference: Those who invest $1 million USD (or $500,000 in certain circumstances) in a new commercial business that employs at least 10 U.S. workers on a full-time basis.

Generally, a person who can be classified under one of these categories is eligible to apply for permanent employment in the U.S.

Contact Us

If you or someone you know needs assistance in applying for permanent immigrant worker status, contact a qualified Austin immigration lawyer from Law Offices of William Jang, PLLC at 512-323-2333.