E1 visas are for first preference immigrants whose employment skills are quite high in demand. The following three categories of employees fall into this category:

• Employees with an extraordinary ability in athletics, business, education, science, or the arts. These applicants must submit evidence with their application that shows that they have national or international acclaim in their respective fields. Candidates in this category do not need any job offers to receive this visa. However, they must intend to work in their respective fields while in the U.S.

• The applicant is an outstanding professor or researcher. Applicants who qualify in this category must be pursuing tenure, or already on a tenure track in higher education. The applicant must teach at an institution of higher education upon arriving in the United States. Candidates must have a specific job offer in the United States when applying.

• Managers or executives who have been employed by a U.S. employer for at least one out of the three preceding years. Applicants under this provision must have executive or managerial experience in their home country. They must demonstrate evidence that they have a job offer along with their application. 

This category consists of professionals, skilled workers, and unskilled workers. Third preference applicants must also secure a Form I – 140 Labor Certificate from their potential employer.  E3 applicants make up 28.6% of the annual employment-based immigration visas. The three categories of E3 applications include the following:

• Skilled workers who have at least two years of work experience that is not seasonal or temporary.

• Workers who are members of professions that require at least a Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or institution or the foreign equivalent. 

• Unskilled workers who are willing and able to fill employment positions that require less than two years of experience or training.