Employment-based green card

For workers with extraordinary ability, advanced degrees, or job offers from U.S. employers. Divided into preference categories (EB-1 through EB-5), most of which are quota-controlled.

Next step for this family

Use the process guides to understand how this family usually moves forward. Check checklist coverage only after you know which pathway and process fit the case.

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Process guides

These guides cover the processes most relevant to this pathway family.

Checklist support

At least one pathway in this family has supported checklist support today. Exact support still depends on the specific pathway, processing context, and, for consular cases, sometimes the interview post.

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Pathways in this family

EB-1: Priority workersWorkers with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, or multinational managers and executives.Quota-controlled (subject to annual limits)Modes: Adjustment of status, Consular processingForms hint: I-140, I-485 or DS-260Open pathway →EB-2: Advanced degree or exceptional abilityWorkers with advanced degrees, exceptional ability, or national interest waiver (NIW) self-petitioners.Quota-controlled (subject to annual limits)Modes: Adjustment of status, Consular processingForms hint: I-140, I-485 or DS-260Open pathway →EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, and other workersSkilled workers, professionals with bachelor's degrees, or other workers with jobs requiring less than two years of training.Quota-controlled (subject to annual limits)Modes: Adjustment of status, Consular processingForms hint: I-140, I-485 or DS-260, PERM labor certification usuallyOpen pathway →EB-5: Immigrant investor (standalone)Investors making a qualifying capital investment directly in a commercial enterprise that creates U.S. jobs.Quota-controlled (subject to annual limits)Modes: Adjustment of status, Consular processingForms hint: I-526E, I-485 or DS-260Open pathway →EB-5: Immigrant investor (regional center)Investors investing through a USCIS-designated regional center.Quota-controlled (subject to annual limits)Modes: Adjustment of status, Consular processingForms hint: I-526E, I-485 or DS-260Open pathway →Physician national interest waiver (EB-2 NIW)Physicians who agree to practice in underserved areas and meet USCIS requirements for the physician NIW.Quota-controlled (subject to annual limits)Modes: Adjustment of status, Consular processingForms hint: I-140, I-485 or DS-260Open pathway →Gold Card programInvestors meeting the new USCIS Gold Card program requirements. This is a new and operationally volatile program as of 2025-2026.Program status is volatile or officially paused. Verify current status before proceeding.No annual quota (visa always available when petition approved)Modes: Adjustment of status, Consular processingForms hint: Check current USCIS Gold Card page for forms: operationally volatileOpen pathway →

Coverage note: General guidance on employment-based categories is available in the pathway overview. Source-backed checklists are not yet available for employment-based paths.