E3 Visa
What is E3 Visa?
The E3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that is available exclusively to citizens of Australia. It was created by the U.S. government in 2005 to allow Australian professionals to work in the United States for a temporary period.
To qualify for an E3 visa, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Be a citizen of Australia
- Have a job offer in the United States in a specialty occupation
- Possess the necessary qualifications, including a bachelor’s degree or higher, in the specialty occupation
A specialty occupation is defined as a position that requires a specialized body of knowledge and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the field of study related to the job. Examples of specialty occupations include engineers, architects, computer professionals, and teachers.
How to Apply E3 Visa?
To apply for an E3 visa, you will need to follow these general steps:
- Determine if you are eligible: As mentioned earlier, to be eligible for an E3 visa, you must be a citizen of Australia, have a job offer in the United States in a specialty occupation, and possess the necessary qualifications for the position.
- Obtain a Labor Condition Application (LCA): The LCA verifies that the position offered to the Australian professional meets the prevailing wage requirements and that the working conditions will not adversely affect U.S. workers.
- Complete the DS-160 form: This is the nonimmigrant visa application form that you will need to fill out and submit online.
- Pay the visa application fee: You will need to pay the non-refundable visa application fee before you can schedule an interview.
- Schedule an interview: You will need to schedule an interview with a U.S. consulate or embassy in Australia. The wait time for an interview may vary depending on the location.
- Gather required documents: You will need to gather all the required documents, including your passport, proof of Australian citizenship, job offer letter, and qualifications for the position.
- Attend the interview: On the day of your interview, you will need to bring all the required documents with you. The consular officer will ask you questions about your job offer and qualifications to determine if you qualify for the visa.
If your visa application is approved, you will be issued an E3 visa, which will allow you to work in the United States in a specialty occupation for up to two years. It is important to note that the E3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa, which means that it is temporary and does not provide a path to permanent residency or citizenship in the United States.