United States · Work with a sponsor
Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference EB-2
Who it's for: Permanent residence for professionals with an advanced degree or its equivalent, or people with exceptional ability.
Information, not immigration advice. This page summarises what the government publishes. Confirm every figure on the official page before you pay or apply.
Last checked 4 Nov 2026
Requirements at a glance
- Job offer needed: In some streams
- Minimum education: Master's degree
- Family can join: Yes
- Can lead to permanent residence: Yes
What the official pages say
4 points recorded from official pages. Open a point to see the official wording.
Job offer neededIn some streamsOfficial wording
“an immigrant petition may request a waiver of the job offer, and thus the labor certification requirement, because it is in the national interest of the United States.”
Minimum educationMaster's degreeOfficial wording
“An advanced degree is any United States academic or professional degree or a foreign equivalent degree above that of bachelor's.”
Family can joinYesOfficial wording
“If your I-140 petition is approved, your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may be eligible to apply for admission to the United States in E-21 and E-22 immigrant status, respectively.”
Can lead to permanent residenceYesOfficial wording
“You may be eligible for an employment-based, second preference visa if you are a member of the professions holding an advanced degree or its equivalent, or a person who has exceptional ability.”
We have not yet recorded: Study place needed; Work experience; Language; Age limit; Money to show; Main fee; Salary threshold; Decision time; Occupation list. That does not mean there is no rule — confirm on the official page. Official page.
Other work with a sponsor routes in United States
- CW-1 CNMI-Only Transitional Worker
- E-3 Specialty Occupation Professionals from Australia
- Employment-Based Immigration: First Preference EB-1
- Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference EB-3
- Employment-Based Immigration: Fourth Preference EB-4
- H-1B Specialty Occupations
- H-3 Nonimmigrant Trainee or Special Education Exchange Visitor
- I Representatives of Foreign Media
- L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager
- L-1B Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge
- O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
- P-1A Internationally Recognized Athlete
- P-1B Member of an Internationally Recognized Entertainment Group
- P-2 Reciprocal Exchange Program Performer
- P-3 Culturally Unique Program Artist or Entertainer
- Physician National Interest Waiver
- Q Cultural Exchange
- R-1 Temporary Religious Workers
- Special Immigrant Broadcaster
- Special Immigrant International Organization Employee
- Special Immigrant Religious Worker
- TN USMCA Professionals
All visa types in United States
Every visa type we have listed, grouped by purpose, with links to the official pages.
United States visa typesBefore you pay anyone
- Nobody can guarantee a visa. Only the government of the country you apply to decides.
- UK employers must not charge you for a Certificate of Sponsorship.
- German missions say you don't need an agent to get a visa appointment.
- Check any adviser or recruitment agent on an official register before you pay.