The professional relationship between the United States and Australia has long been well established. For skilled Australian professionals, one visa pathway makes the transition across the Pacific significantly more accessible than many realize. The E-3 visa was created specifically for Australian nationals coming to the U.S. to work in a specialty occupation.
It is a sought-after route, partly because it helps reduce some of the hurdles that come with other work visas. But the rules governing it are precise, and a petition must clearly and correctly show that both the worker and the job qualify.
At Wildes & Weinberg, P.C., our E3 visa attorneys help Australian professionals and the U.S. employers who hire them pursue E-3 visas in line with U.S. immigration law.
The E-3 serves a wide range of people, from individual professionals relocating for a role to companies bringing Australian talent onto their teams.
Everyone starts from a slightly different place. Some are weighing an offer and want to know if they qualify. Others have approval in hand and need to plan the next step. The strategy should fit the situation.
The E-3 is a non-immigrant work visa available only to Australian nationals. To use it, you have to come to the United States to perform services in a specialty occupation.
A specialty occupation is a position that requires a body of specialized knowledge and, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the field. In practice, the category closely tracks the H-1B definition of a specialty occupation, which is why fields like engineering, IT, healthcare, finance, and education often qualify.
There are many advantages here. The E-3 is not subject to the H-1B lottery; it is initially valid for up to two years, and it can be extended in two-year increments. In many cases, the spouse of an E-3 worker can apply for work authorization in the United States, and unmarried children under 21 can join as dependents.
No two matters follow the same path, but most move through several recognizable stages.
We at Wildes & Weinberg P.C. hold a long-standing reputation in U.S. immigration and nationality law, with experience guiding professionals and employers from around the world.
We understand that an E-3 case often carries a career, a livelihood, and a family’s plans behind it.
It is for Australian citizens coming to the U.S. to work in a specialty occupation, a role that normally requires at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent.
Yes, you need a genuine offer from a U.S. employer before applying, since the E-3 does not allow self-employment.
No, and that is one of its biggest advantages; there is no lottery to get through.
It is granted for up to two years at a time and can be renewed in two-year increments as long as you keep qualifying.
Yes, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can join you, and in many cases, your spouse can apply for work authorization.
Yes, your employer files a certified Labor Condition Application with the Department of Labor and agrees to pay the required wage for the role.
Holding an offer from a U.S. employer, or hiring an Australian professional for a specialty role? Strategic planning plays a vital role in achieving better outcomes. Our E3 visa attorneys at Wildes & Weinberg P.C. are available to review your situation, assess your options, and help you build a strategy that aligns with your career or business goals.
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