How long does the EB-2 Professionals with Advanced Degrees (Subclass EB-2) (United States) take to process?

Depends on petition/labor certification where required, visa number availability, NVC processing, consular scheduling, and administrative processing.

How long can you stay on the EB-2 Professionals with Advanced Degrees (Subclass EB-2) (United States)?

Immigrant visa leads to lawful permanent resident status after admission and required immigrant fee/green-card processing.

Can you work on the EB-2 Professionals with Advanced Degrees (Subclass EB-2) (United States)?

Lawful permanent residents may work in the United States after admission as permanent residents; pre-entry work depends on existing authorization.

Country Info Hub

United States

A leading destination for professionals and students worldwide, known for its strong economy, world-class universities, and diverse culture.

Visa Routes Breakdown

62 Total

Work (17)

PR (17)

Study (4)

Visit (2)

Capital: Washington, D.C.
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
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Languages: English
Time vs Colombo: -9h 30m to -15h 30m
Population: About 0 million
Calling code: +1
Drives on: Right
Climate: Mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska

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Official Visa Data

Visa Routes Breakdown

62 Total

Work (17)

PR (17)

Study (4)

Visit (2)

Back to all visas

At a glance

Government fee

USD 345 DOS employment-based immigrant visa application processing fee per person; USCIS petition fees are separate.

Department of State fee table lists immigrant, K, DV, and returning-resident fee amounts; USCIS petition/immigrant fees are separate and can change.

Processing time: Depends on petition/labor certification where required, visa number availability, NVC processing, consular scheduling, and administrative processing.
How long you can stay: Immigrant visa leads to lawful permanent resident status after admission and required immigrant fee/green-card processing.
Work rights: Lawful permanent residents may work in the United States after admission as permanent residents; pre-entry work depends on existing authorization.
Where it leads: Lawful permanent residence pathway if the applicant completes the immigrant visa/admission process and remains admissible.
Where you apply: USCIS petition or DV selection where required, NVC processing, DS-260, medical exam, documents, and U.S. Embassy/Consulate immigrant visa interview.

Key requirements

Qualifying employment-based preference category
Approved USCIS immigrant petition
Labor certification where required
Visa number availability
Medical exam, civil documents, and consular interview

Step-by-step process

The verified roadmap from starting your application to the grant.

1
Confirm employment-based preference basis
Before applying
Confirm the EB preference category, employer/self-petition basis, and visa number/labor certification issues.
2
Complete labor certification/petition stage where required
Before application submission
Complete PERM/labor certification if needed and USCIS immigrant petition approval before consular processing.
3
Complete NVC/DS-260 and pay employment IV fees
Application submission stage
Complete DS-260, civil documents, employer/petition documents, and NVC fee/document steps.
4
Attend medical exam and immigrant visa interview
Interview/decision stage
Complete the medical exam and attend the immigrant visa interview with petition, job, and civil evidence.
Enter the United States as an employment-based immigrant if visa is issued
After visa decision
If issued, travel before visa expiry and become an LPR after admission, subject to category conditions.

Document checklist

Track your progress as you gather what you need.

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Identity & Personal

Travel & Itinerary

Financial Evidence

Your ticks stay on this device.

Cost breakdown

A verified breakdown beyond just the visa fee.

Government fee: USD 345 DOS employment-based immigrant visa application processing fee per person; USCIS petition fees are separate.
Agent fee: $2,591
Travel: $945
Settling in: $7,855
Monthly living cost: $2,495

More details

Important notes

Visa number availability can delay numerically limited family and employment categories.
An approved petition does not guarantee visa issuance; the applicant must remain admissible.

Streams

Immigrant
Employment-based
Permanent residence

Official sources

This is information, not legal or immigration advice. Always confirm with the official source before you apply.

United States

Visa Routes Breakdown

Quick facts

Visa Routes Breakdown

Confirm employment-based preference basis

Complete labor certification/petition stage where required

Complete NVC/DS-260 and pay employment IV fees

Attend medical exam and immigrant visa interview

Enter the United States as an employment-based immigrant if visa is issued

Identity & Personal

Travel & Itinerary

Financial Evidence

Important notes

Streams

Official sources

Confirm employment-based preference basis

Complete labor certification/petition stage where required

Complete NVC/DS-260 and pay employment IV fees

Attend medical exam and immigrant visa interview

Enter the United States as an employment-based immigrant if visa is issued

Identity & Personal

Travel & Itinerary

Financial Evidence

Important notes

Streams

Official sources