Chapter 06 · Topic 06.7 · Green card / Citizenship
EB-1, EB-2 NIW, EB-3: employment-based green card (Canadian)
Three employment-based green card paths: EB-1 extraordinary ability (1A self-petition), EB-2 NIW (3-prong Dhanasar, self-petition), EB-3 skilled/professional/other (PERM required). 140K IV/yr cap.
Direct answer · 60-second summary
The 60-second version
EB (Employment-Based) are U.S. employment-based permanent immigration paths. Five preferences (EB-1 through EB-5). Three are most relevant for skilled Canadians:
- EB-1: extraordinary ability (1A), outstanding professor/researcher (1B), multinational manager/executive (1C). No PERM, no US job required for 1A.
- EB-2: advanced (master/PhD or bachelor + 5 yrs) OR exceptional ability. NIW (National Interest Waiver) = self-petition without employer if 3 Dhanasar prongs met.
- EB-3: skilled (2 yrs experience), professional (bachelor), other workers (unskilled, long queue).
Process: (1) DOL PERM labor certification if required, (2) Form I-140 petition with USCIS, (3) I-485 (AOS) or consular (CP) with DS-260. Annual global cap: 140,000 employment IVs + dependents. Dhanasar test (2016) for NIW: (1) substantial merit + national importance, (2) well-positioned, (3) on balance beneficial to waive job offer.
Acronyms used in this guide
- USCIS — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- DOS — U.S. Department of State
- DOL — U.S. Department of Labor
- I-140 — Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
- I-485 — Application to Register Permanent Residence (Adjustment of Status)
- I-765 — Application for Employment Authorization (EAD)
- I-131 — Application for Travel Document (Advance Parole, Re-entry Permit)
- I-693 — Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
- DS-260 — Online Immigrant Visa Application
- PERM — Program Electronic Review Management (DOL labor certification)
- PWD — Prevailing Wage Determination
- LPR — Lawful Permanent Resident
- PR — Permanent Resident (green card holder)
- NIW — National Interest Waiver (for EB-2)
- PD — Priority Date
- EB-1 — Employment-Based 1st preference
- EB-2 — Employment-Based 2nd preference
- EB-3 — Employment-Based 3rd preference
- AOS — Adjustment of Status (in-US, no consulate)
- CP — Consular Processing (at US consulate abroad)
- NVC — National Visa Center
EB-1: 3 sub-categories
- EB-1A: Extraordinary Ability — sciences, arts, education, business, athletics. Self-petition allowed (no employer needed). Criteria: (a) major international award (Nobel, Pulitzer), OR (b) 3 of 10 regulatory criteria (8 CFR §204.5(h)(3)): national prizes, published articles, peer review, original contributions, awards in field, leadership, high salary, etc. + final merits determination.
- EB-1B: Outstanding Professor/Researcher — 3 yrs academic experience, permanent offer from US employer (university or research institute), 2 of 6 criteria.
- EB-1C: Multinational Manager/Executive — internal transfer (similar to L-1A) with 1 yr in the 3 years before petition.
- No PERM for any sub-category.
- I-140 timing: 8-15 months (premium processing 15 days for ~$3,000 USD Form I-907).
EB-2 NIW: Dhanasar (2016) test
The AAO (Administrative Appeals Office) issued Matter of Dhanasar, 26 I&N Dec. 884 (AAO 2016) on December 27, 2016, replacing the NYSDOT test. Three prongs:
- Substantial merit and national importance: the proposed endeavor has substantial merit (science, technology, economy, health, education, culture) and national importance (beyond local impact).
- Well-positioned to advance the endeavor: education, experience, prior success, plan, funding, references, recommendation letters establish that the petitioner is well-positioned.
- On balance beneficial: it would benefit the US to waive the job-offer and PERM requirement (impossibility or impracticality of PERM, urgency, national interest).
NIW is self-petition: no US employer needed. Ideal for entrepreneurs, researchers, independent professionals. Form I-140 + ETA-9089 not required.
EB-2 standard (with employer)
- Advanced: master/PhD OR bachelor + 5 years progressive experience.
- Exceptional ability: 3 of 6 regulatory criteria.
- PERM required except for NIW.
- PERM (DOL) process: 6-18 months, fees ~$3,000-5,000 USD (attorney + ads).
EB-3: 3 sub-categories
- EB-3A: Skilled workers — minimum 2 yrs experience.
- EB-3B: Professionals — US bachelor or equivalent foreign.
- EB-3C: Other workers (unskilled) — less than 2 yrs experience. Extremely long queue (10+ yrs).
- PERM required in all cases.
- Annual cap: 28.6% of 140,000 = 40,040 IV/yr split among EB-3 sub-categories.
DOS Visa Bulletin and queues
The monthly Visa Bulletin from the Department of State shows Final Action Dates (date a visa becomes available). For Canadians, per-country cap = 7% of worldwide = roughly 9,800 IV/yr.
| Category | Status for Canada (Jan 2026) |
|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current (no queue) |
| EB-2 | Modest backlog (~1-2 yrs) |
| EB-3 Skilled/Professional | Backlog ~1-3 yrs |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Backlog ~10+ yrs |
Verify the official Visa Bulletin monthly: travel.state.gov/visa-bulletin.
Full process
- PERM (if required): employer files Form ETA-9089 with DOL, with labor market test (ads, prevailing wage). Time: 6-18 months.
- Form I-140: employer petition (or self for EB-1A and NIW) to USCIS. Time: 8-15 months (premium processing available 15 days for ~$3,000 USD).
- Priority Date: date of PERM filing or I-140 (if no PERM). Used in Visa Bulletin.
- When PD is current:
- If in US (under nonimmigrant status): Form I-485 (AOS) + I-693 (medical) + I-765 (EAD) + I-131 (Advance Parole). Time: 8-14 months.
- If outside US: Consular Processing via NVC + DS-260 + interview at the US consulate for their province of residence. Canada has 6 US consular posts — Canadians apply to the one serving their province of residence, not necessarily Montréal: Montréal (QC/NU), Toronto (ON), Vancouver (BC/YT), Calgary (AB/SK/MB/NT), Halifax (NB/NS/PE/NL), Québec City (parts of QC). Confirm your jurisdiction and book appointments at ca.usembassy.gov.
- Approval → LPR.
- Spouse and unmarried children < 21 = derivatives (spouse = E-21/E-22, children = E-23/EW-3 etc.).
Formulaires officiels (toujours utiliser la dernière édition)
Responsabilité du lecteur
Toujours télécharger la dernière édition du formulaire depuis le site officiel cité ci-dessous. Une édition expirée peut être rejetée par USCIS, DOS ou IRS. CanadaFlorida ne se substitue pas à un avocat licencié.
Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline in this guide is drawn from a verifiable primary source listed at the bottom of the page. The article is updated whenever the underlying rules change, with a fresh review date stamped at the top.
Sources and references
Public sources verified as of the last review date.
- USCIS — Employment-Based Immigration: First Preference EB-1. uscis.gov/eb-1
- USCIS — Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference EB-2. uscis.gov/eb-2
- USCIS — Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference EB-3. uscis.gov/eb-3
- Matter of Dhanasar, 26 I&N Dec. 884 (AAO 2016). justice.gov/dhanasar
- 8 CFR §204.5 — Petitions for employment-based immigrants. cornell.edu/8-cfr-204.5
- DOL PERM Labor Certification (ETA-9089). dol.gov/perm
- DOS Visa Bulletin. travel.state.gov/visa-bulletin
Disclaimer
This guide is for educational purpose only. Figures, rates, thresholds, timelines and rules are drawn from public sources at the date shown and may change.
For any concrete decision, consult a licensed US immigration attorney and a cross-border tax attorney.