U.S. visa categories, plain-English.

Immigrant (green card)

Sponsor

Self-petition — no employer required

Timeline

Premium processing: 45 business days. Standard: 8–14 months.

Bar

Three Matter of Dhanasar prongs: merit + national importance, well-positioned to advance, on-balance benefit to U.S.

Typical audience

Researchers, engineers, healthcare professionals, founders with national-level impact

PetitionHQ currently focuses exclusively on EB-2 NIW.

Immigrant (green card)

Sponsor

Self-petition — no employer required

Timeline

Premium processing: 15 business days. Standard: 6–12 months.

Bar

Top of field. Either a one-time major international award (Nobel, Olympic medal, Oscar) or 3 of 10 Kazarian criteria.

Typical audience

Senior researchers, awardees, founders with international recognition

On the PetitionHQ roadmap. Currently the strongest EB-1A profiles can use the EB-2 NIW assessment as a fallback or parallel filing.

Immigrant (green card)

Sponsor

Employer-sponsored — tenure-track offer or qualifying private-sector research role

Timeline

Premium processing: 15 business days. Standard: 6–12 months.

Bar

International recognition + 3+ years research experience + qualifying offer. 2 of 6 regulatory criteria.

Typical audience

Tenure-track researchers, senior industry research roles

On the roadmap. Often filed in parallel with EB-1A for senior researchers.

Nonimmigrant work visa, 3-year term, renewable

Sponsor

U.S. employer or agent

Timeline

Premium processing: 15 business days. Standard: 2–3 months.

Bar

Major international award or 3 of 8 regulatory criteria. O-1A: sciences, education, business, athletics. O-1B: arts/film/TV.

Typical audience

Individuals with extraordinary ability who need a 3-year work visa while building toward EB-1A or EB-2 NIW

On the roadmap. Frequently used as a 'bridge' visa while preparing the green-card self-petition.

Immigrant (green card)

Sponsor

U.S. employer + Department of Labor PERM certification

Timeline

PERM 12–18 months + I-140 6–12 months + priority-date wait

Bar

Job offer + PERM-tested labor-market recruitment

Typical audience

Workers without standout independent achievements; cleanest fit is employer-driven

Not on the PetitionHQ roadmap. PERM-driven cases are best served by a specialist firm.

Immigrant (green card)

Sponsor

U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member

Timeline

Immediate relatives current; other categories per Visa Bulletin

Bar

Qualifying family relationship (spouse, parent, child, sibling)

Typical audience

Family members of USCs/LPRs

Not on the PetitionHQ roadmap.