Terpollari & Terpollari, LLC are experienced immigration attorneys located in Jacksonville and Tampa, serving clients across the USA. They specialize in various areas of immigration law, including asylum and refugee status, citizenship and naturalization, deportation defense, and family-based immigration.
EB VISAS - EMPLOYMENT BASED GREEN CARDS
EB VISAS - EMPLOYMENT BASED GREEN CARDS
EB Visa Attorney: Employment-Based Green Cards
- EB visas (employment-based immigrant visas) provide a pathway to lawful permanent residency for foreign nationals sponsored by a U.S. employer, or in some cases through their own qualifying business or extraordinary achievement. Unlike temporary work visas, an approved EB petition leads directly toward a green card, allowing the individual and their family to live and work permanently in the United States. Our firm guides employers and employees throughout Jacksonville and St. Augustine through every step of the employment-based green card process.
EB Visa Categories: EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3
- The employment-based green card process is divided into preference categories, each with its own eligibility standards:
- EB-1 — For individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, or multinational executives and managers. No labor certification is required.
- EB-2 — For professionals holding an advanced degree, or individuals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business. Typically requires a labor certification (PERM), though a National Interest Waiver may allow certain applicants to bypass employer sponsorship.
- EB-3 — For skilled workers, professionals with a bachelor's degree, and other workers. Also generally requires PERM labor certification.
- Choosing the correct category — and building the strongest possible case within it — has a direct impact on both approval odds and wait times, which vary significantly by category and country of birth.
The PERM Labor Certification Process
- Most EB-2 and EB-3 petitions begin with PERM labor certification, a Department of Labor process requiring the employer to test the labor market and demonstrate that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the position before sponsoring a foreign national. This process involves a detailed prevailing wage determination, a structured recruitment period, and strict documentation requirements, followed by the Form I-140 immigrant petition once certification is approved.
Evaluating Eligibility and Strategy
- Every case depends on the applicant's occupation, education, employer, and country of birth, all of which affect which category fits best and how long the process may take. As part of our evaluation, we review an individual's qualifications and the sponsoring employer's needs to determine the optimal filing strategy, including whether a National Interest Waiver or premium processing may be available.
Benefits of an EB Visa
Approved applicants and their families receive:
- Lawful permanent residency (a green card) in the United States
- Authorization to live and work for any employer, without restriction
- A direct path to U.S. citizenship after five years of permanent residency
- Inclusion of spouses and unmarried children under 21 as derivative beneficiaries
Why Work With an Experienced EB Visa Attorney
- Employment-based immigration involves close coordination between employer and employee, strict Department of Labor procedures, and shifting visa bulletin priority dates that affect filing timelines. An experienced immigration attorney can help select the right category, manage the PERM process, and keep a case moving efficiently from labor certification through final green card approval.
- Our firm represents employers and employees throughout the Jacksonville and St. Augustine area in EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 petitions, from initial strategy through adjustment of status or consular processing. If you believe you may qualify, contact our office to schedule a consultation and discuss your options.
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