E3 Visas for Australians to work in the United States
The US Congress brought good news to many Australians when it announced in early May 2005 that it would designate 10,500 newly created E-3 visas just for Australians.
This removes Australians from the H-1B quota and offers them a visa that is similar, but more flexible. It has some of the elements of an E treaty visa and should be very useful to Australian nationals seeking work in the US.
Who is eligible?
The E-3 visa is for nationals of the Commonwealth of Australia who wish to enter the US to perform services in a "specialty occupation."
The term "specialty occupation" means an occupation that requires theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States. The definition is the same as the Immigration and Nationality Act definition of an H-1B specialty occupation.
Spouses of E-3 visa holders are entitled to work authorization.
Annual limits on E-3 visas
The number of E-3 visas that will be issued will be limited to 10,500 per fiscal year. The spouse and children of the E-3 are allowed to accompany, and they won't count against the 10,500 cap. Spouses are also allowed to work in the US.
Time limits on E-3s
E-3 I-94 time limits are the same as E-1 and E-2 visas (as opposed to H-1Bs), or between two and five years. More significant, however, is that they can be renewed indefinitely.
How Opus can help
Opus was formed in 2005 by experienced industry trained consultants who know and love the architecture market.
We have worked with many of London and America’s best practices for several years resulting in contacts and relationships with many satisfied Architects who refer new candidates to us daily. We help a great many Australians in finding employment in London every year.
We are now in the process of setting up our brand new office in Manhattan, New York. We already have many requirements for Architects and Assistants at all levels for companies in New York and across the whole of the United States. For further information on how we can help you gain employment in the US and how you can get the E3 visa, please call Nick Ray, Director, on +44 207 801 6320 or email him at nick.ray@opuscareers.co.uk
