Employment-based green cards

Retain key talent long term while maintaining compliance and program stability amid changing immigration rules with the expertise of BAL’s immigration attorneys.

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Employment-based green card classifications

An employment-based green card allows a U.S. employer to sponsor a foreign national employee for lawful permanent residence. This category includes four primary classifications:

  • EB-1: Priority workers

    For individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers and multinational executives or managers. This classification rarely requires labor certification and may offer faster paths to permanent residence for qualifying employees.

  • EB-2: Advanced degree professionals and National Interest Waiver

    For professionals holding advanced degrees or demonstrating exceptional ability. Some cases may qualify for a National Interest Waiver, allowing the green card process to proceed without a permanent job offer or labor certification.

  • EB-3: Skilled workers and professionals

    For employees performing roles that require at least a bachelor’s degree or specific skills and experience. This category commonly requires completion of the Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) labor certification process.

How BAL helps employers and employees navigate the PERM process

PERM labor certification is a requirement for most EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based sponsorship cases initiated and managed by the employer. The fundamental steps include:

  1. Joint definition and eligibility requirements
  2. Prevailing Wage Determination
  3. Recruitment and market testing
  4. Filing PERM application
  5. Audit and approval

BAL partners with employers at every stage of the PERM process from early strategy through filing and audit responses. We help define compliant job requirements, manage recruitment and advertising, prepare filings and guide next steps toward immigrant petitions and permanent residence, all while minimizing disruption to business operations and employee experience. Learn more about the PERM process.

What makes us different?

  • Singular focus on corporate immigration

    We focus exclusively on the immigration needs of employers — from emerging startups to Fortune 10 companies — delivering tailored strategies that align immigration planning with business goals.

  • Proven experience with complex, long-term programs

    Our teams manage high-volume, multiyear permanent residency programs across industries, adapting strategies as policies, administrations and workforces evolve.

  • Technology built for compliance and visibility

    Our proprietary Cobalt® platform centralizes case data, deadlines and communications, giving employers real-time visibility into permanent residency programs while supporting accuracy, compliance and reporting.

Connect with our team about employment-based permanent residency solutions for your organization.

“Thank you for the amazing work on my National Interest Waiver. This was a really great experience. The staff assigned to my case were super responsive, knowledgeable and kind. They were on top of everything all the way through and I felt in great hands from day one.”
Foreign national employee of a BAL client

Employment-based green card FAQ

How does a company sponsor an employee for a green card?

Sponsorship typically involves identifying the appropriate green card category, completing required recruitment and labor certification steps (if applicable) and filing immigrant petitions with U.S. immigration agencies.

What’s the difference between an EB-2 and EB-3 green card?

EB-2 generally applies to roles requiring advanced degrees or exceptional ability, while EB-3 applies to skilled workers and professionals meeting minimum education or experience requirements.

How long does the employment-based green card process usually take?

Timelines vary based on category, government processing and visa availability. Some cases may take several years, making early planning essential.

Can a small business sponsor an employee for a green card?

Yes. Businesses of all sizes may sponsor employees, provided they can demonstrate the ability to meet wage, recruitment and compliance requirements.

How much does it cost for a company to sponsor a green card?

Costs vary depending on category, government fees, recruitment requirements and case complexity. Employers typically bear most sponsorship-related expenses. View more employment-based green card FAQ here.