E-3 Visa

In order to meet the U.S. Department of State’s E-3 visa requirements, the following must be presented to the consular office as part of your application:

1. A detailed job description for the U.S. position which meets the above specifications;
2. All credentials of the applicant including diploma and professional license indicating eligibility for the position to be worked in the U.S.;
3. Often letters from prior or current employers exhibiting experience in the same or similar role will be required;
4. Resume or curriculum vitae;
5. Rudimentary information about the employer company;
6. Proof or explanation of intent to depart the U.S. upon completion of the job assignment.

Applying within the United States

The Form I-129, Petition for Non immigrant Worker is used to apply for a change of status to obtain E-3 non immigrant temporary worker classification.

Supporting Documents

Your Form I-129 must include the following documents:

1. A Labor Condition Application (LCA) which cannot be the same application used in a previous H-1B application. Until the Department of Labor develops a new LCA for an E-3, the applicant should use the standard ETA-9035 and ask that it be annotated as an E-3 LCA.
2. Academic or other credentials demonstrating qualifications for the position.
3. Job offer letter or other documentation from the employer establishing that you will be engaged in a specialty occupation and that you will be paid the higher of the actual or prevailing wage.
4. If required, before you may commence employment in the specialty occupation, you must have the necessary license or other official permission to practice in the specialty occupation.

Applying for a Visa With a U.S. Embassy or Consulate

If your petition Form I-129 is approved, we will forward a Form I-797, Notice of Action/Approval to the employer, who in turn will forward it to you. A Form I-797 approval notice is not a U.S. visa, as the visa must be obtained at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. After Form I-129 is approved by USCIS, the next step is to apply for a U.S. visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, generally in your country of residence abroad. Please visit the Department of State, Travel.state.gov Temporary Workers webpage for visa information, how-to-apply procedures, and U.S. embassy web contact information to learn more.