View PDF Version
	The Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free program available on the Adobe website. Follow the instructions on the Adobe page for downloading the reader.

The Five Employment Based Preferences and Backlogs

 (1)  The Employment-based First (EB-1) “Priority Workers.”  Allots up to 40,000 visas/year to “extraordinary ability” workers in the science, arts, education, business or athletics, “outstanding professors & researchers,” & “multinational executives and managers.”  There are no backlogs in the preference. 60,240 EB-1 adjustment of status (AOS) entered in FY05, 59% were dependents.  4,491 EB-1 visas issued abroad in FY05, 59% were dependents. 

(2)   The Employment-based Second (EB-2) “Advanced Degree Professionals, Exceptional Ability.”  Allots up to 40,000 visas/year and any unused EB-1 visas to advanced degree and exceptional ability workers in sciences, arts or business. 41,109 EB-2 AOS entered in FY05, 53% were dependents. 1,488 EB-2 visas issued abroad in FY05, 56% dependents.  DOS information is contained in the chart below.

(3)  The Employment-based Third (EB-3) “Skilled, Professional and Other Workers.”  Allots up to 40,000 visas/year plus unused EB-2 visas to skilled workers, professionals, and other (unskilled) workers. Other workers are limited to 5,000 visas per year. 109,713 EB-3 AOS entered in FY05, 48% were dependents. 19,357 visas issued abroad in FY05, 62% dependents.  DOS information is contained in the chart below.

(4)   The Employment-based Fourth (EB-4) “Special Immigrants, Religious Workers.”  Allots up to 10,000 visas/year to special immigrants (ministers, religious workers, former government USWs).  There are no backlogs in this preference.  8,750 EB-4 AOS entered in FY05, 47% were dependents. 1,384 EB-4 visas were issued abroad in FY05, 70% dependents.

(5)  The Employment-based Fifth (EB-5) “Immigrant Investors.”  Allots up to 10,000 visas/year to immigrant investors (between $500,000 - $3 million to invest in a job-creating enterprise in the U.S.)  Each investor must employ at least 10 USWs. There are no backlogs in this preference. 188 EB-5 AOS entered in FY05, 54% were dependents.  158 EB-5 visas issued abroad in FY05, 66% dependents.

1 8 U.S.C. §1153; http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/employment.htm
2 United States Department of Homeland Security, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2005.  Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration Statistics, 2006.  Tables 6-7.
3 8 U.S.C.§1153; http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/employment.htm
4 United States Department of Homeland Security, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2005.  Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration Statistics, 2006.  Tables 6-7.
5 Visa Bulletin for March 2007 Department of State, Number 103, Volume VIII, Washington, D.C.; http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_3143.html
6 8 U.S.C.§1153; http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/employment.htm
7 United States Department of Homeland Security, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2005.  Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration Statistics, 2006.  Tables 6-7.
8Visa Bulletin for March 2007, Department of State, Number 103, Volume VIII, Washington, D.C.; http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_3143.html
9 8 U.S.C.§1153; http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/employment.htm
10United States Department of Homeland Security, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2005.  Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration Statistics, 2006.  Tables 6-7.