E3 Visa
If you are an Australian citizen who received a job offer from a U.S. employer, you can temporarily move to the U.S. for work.
What Is an E3 Visa?
If you are a citizen of Australia and want to live and work in the United States, you need to apply for the E3 visa. Originally introduced into the U.S. Immigration system in 2005, the E3 visa provides a wonderful opportunity to the business professionals and people of Australia to make the most out of brighter prospects available in the U.S. as a part of AUSFTA (the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement).
What makes an E3 visa a better choice over a traditional H1B work visa is the fact that E3 visas can be attained easily and also prove to be less costly when compared to their counterparts.
E3 visas also allow the spouses of E3 visa holders to work in the U.S.
Who Is Eligible for an E3 Visa?
In order to qualify for an E3 visa, you must meet a certain set of requirements:
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You must be an Australian citizen.
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You must be in possession of a legitimate offer of employment in the U.S.
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You must fill a position that qualifies as a specialty occupation.
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You must possess the required academic qualifications.
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You must assure your stay in the United States will be temporary.
Important E1 Visa Specifications
How to Apply for an E3 Visa?
Once you have the required documents in hand, you must head to the U.S. consulate in Australia or internationally. You can even choose to complete the process in the U.S., but in most cases, doing this in the U.S. makes the process take longer. In this case, you will need to apply with form I-129 and then take it from there. if you are applying for an E3 visa for the first time, it is highly recommended to do it from Australia.
How Much Does an E3 Visa Cost?
We charge $2,500. The embassy and other fees are around $400-1000
E3 Visa Processing Time
If you are renewing your E3 visa within the U.S. or transferring to an E3 visa from another visa status within the U.S., you will need to file form I-129 and assuming it gets approved, you will have the resultant form I-797 within the next 2-3 months. If you are applying for an E3 visa at a U.S. consulate, the entire processing time varies depending on the consulate you apply at. It might be immediate or it might be as long as two months to get a date for an interview.
Documents Required for an E3 Visa
- Your current valid passport.
- The formal offer of employment from your employer which must be addressed to you, signed on the company’s letterhead, and must include a job description specific to your job role.
- A copy of LCA filed by your employer.
- A printed VisaPoint confirmation.
- An envelope with your address.
- A copy of your documents related to qualifications and degree.
- Supporting documents which illustrate that you have ties with your country and you don’t intend to settle in the U.S. permanently. This could be anything like owning property in your name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the USCIS premium processing available for an E3 visa?
The option for premium processing for an E3 visa is not available currently.
How long does the validity of an E3 visa last?
The E3 visa is valid according to the validity period of the LCA. Additionally, it has a maximum validity of 24 months, after which the validity must be renewed.
How many times can an E3 visa be renewed?
You can renew the visa indefinitely. All you need to do is demonstrate the need to renew the visa while also showcasing that you don’t intend to settle in the U.S. permanently.
Can I change my status while in the U.S. on an E3 visa?
Yes, depending on certain events and circumstances, you can change your visa status from E3 to any other nonimmigrant status in the U.S.
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Immigration and Business Consultants
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