Let’s see: eb1 vs eb2, which is the better option for immigration to the US? What factors should you consider when deciding on which visa to apply for? What are the pros and cons, similarities and differences, and other qualities each holds, and how should it influence your decision?
Generally, your travel plans, and immigration status should determine whether you should apply for eb1 or eb2 visa. Since EB-1 and EB-2 are both employment-based visas that grant permanent residency in the US, most people tend to be confused about which one to go for.
If you carefully read through the comparison and contrast of the two visas in this article, it will help you to make an informed decision bearing in mind how complex the US immigration law is.
What is the EB1 Visa?
Foreign nationals with extraordinary abilities in their field can easily get a US green card with an EB-1 visa. The following people can use this visa to live and work permanently in the United States:
- Outstanding professors
- Researchers
- Multinational managers
- Company executives
- People with extraordinary abilities in athletics, science, education, business or the arts.
The EB1 visa is sub-categorized into three – EB1A, EB1B and EB1C.
The EB1A visa is specifically for people with extraordinary abilities in athletics, arts, business, education, or science. It is also known as the Einstein visa as applicants have to show national or international acclaim.
To qualify for the EB1A visa, you must demonstrate exceptional achievement in your field. To do that, you can show major international awards that you’ve received, major original contributions you’ve made to your field and membership in prestigious organizations that only those with outstanding achievement can belong to.
Other pieces of evidence could be scholarly books or articles in leading journals that you authored, being invited to judge the work of others in your field, higher pay than others in your field, or very significant and original scientific or scholarly contributions.
The EB1B visa is for outstanding teachers and researchers and a U.S. employer has to petition for you (if you become a beneficiary). For instance, you can reach out to a lecturer in a university to be a teaching assistant or you can apply to a researcher with a government or private institution.
To be eligible for the EB1B visa, you must be recognized as a leading researcher or professor with at least 3 years of experience in your academic field, and must have a job offer from a US employer in a research or teaching position.
The EB1C visa is for certain multinational managers and executives and is the quickest, most direct path to a Green card for qualified individuals.
To qualify for the EB1C visa, the parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the U.S. employer/petitioner must have employed you abroad for one year in the previous three years before you entered the U.S.
The position must have been a managerial or executive one for a U.S. employer who has been doing business for at least one year and can pay the immigrant’s salary.
The visa application process for the EB-1 visa is very rigorous and requires strong documentation hence you may want to consult with an experienced immigration attorney.
What is the EB2 Visa?
An EB2 visa applicant must have an advanced degree (master’s or PhD) in the sciences, art or business and a job offer from a US employer who needs to file a labour certification proving the need for the foreign worker in that position.
The EB2 visa is subcategorized into three – Advanced Degree (EB-2A), Exceptional Ability (EB-2B) and National Interest Waiver (EB-2C).
A U.S. employer must sponsor you for a position and provide a job offer in your field of expertise before you can qualify for the Advanced Degree (EB-2A) visa. Also, you must either have a master’s degree, a PhD or its foreign equivalent with at least five years of progressive work experience in your field.
The documentation you will need to apply include:
- Official academic transcript
- Employment letters detailing your experience
- Proof of your job offer.
Just as the name sounds, an applicant for the Exceptional Ability (EB-2B) visa must have exceptional ability in the sciences, business or arts and provide at least three of the following evidence:
- Published material
- Awards and prizes
- Professional memberships
- Critical acclaim from professional organizations, government agencies or peers.
- High salary
- License or certification to practice
- Significant contributions such as research, artistic achievements, or innovation.
- A job offer is not compulsory but can strengthen the application.
The National Interest Waiver (EB-2C) allows the applicant to self-petition without a job offer from a U.S. employer. However, the applicant must prove that their work has substantial merit or national importance and will be of great benefit to the United States.
EB1 vs EB2: A Detailed Comparison
They are both employment-based visas that easily grants the holder a green card in the U.S. The EB-1A and EB-2 visas allow you to self-petition, hence, you don’t need a job offer from a U.S employer.
Also, your birth country will affect your ability to successfully proceed with your application for any of these visas.
Key Differences Between EB1 and EB2 Visas For U.S. Immigration
The contrast between these visas will be analysed in the table below:
| EB-1 | EB-2 | ||
| 1 | Who can apply | People with extraordinary ability in their field | People with advanced degrees or exceptional ability |
| 2 | Qualifying areas | Science, arts, education, business, athletics | Advanced degrees, exceptional ability |
| 3 | Requirements | Must have extraordinary ability and comprehensive documentation of all international acclaim | Advanced degree, valid job offer, exceptional ability |
| 4 | Processing time | Faster processing times | Longer wait times and backlogs |
| 5 | Priority date | Established on the date the I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker is filed with the USCIS | Established on the date when the labour certification application (PERM) is filed with the Department of Labour. |
Which Visa is Right for Me?
EB1 vs EB2: which visa is better for immigration to the US in 2025?
You have to first analyze the eligibility criteria discussed for each of them to know the one you meets all their requirements and the one that suits your travel purpose.
You can take your time to gather evidence of your achievements and make a self-assessment to know how qualified you are. If possible, gather your qualifications, evidence of your experience and career achievements/goals to an immigration attorney for professional assessment.
