EB-2 Advanced Degree Professional in Culver City: Green Card for Master's Degree Holders
Employment-based immigration for professionals with advanced degrees
Quick Answer
For professionals in Culver City and the Los Angeles area with master's degrees or higher, the EB-2 Advanced Degree category offers a path to permanent residence through employment. This category is particularly relevant for tech professionals, engineers, and others in the thriving Culver City business community.
Reviewed for accuracy by
Maria Santos
DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience
For professionals in Culver City and the Los Angeles area with master's degrees or higher, the EB-2 Advanced Degree category offers a path to permanent residence through employment. This category is particularly relevant for tech professionals, engineers, and others in the thriving Culver City business community.
What is EB-2 Advanced Degree?
Two EB-2 Subcategories:
1. Advanced Degree Professional: Master's degree or higher, OR bachelor's plus 5 years progressive experience
2. Exceptional Ability: Exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business
This article focuses on the Advanced Degree Professional category, the most common EB-2 path.
Who Qualifies for EB-2 Advanced Degree?
- •Hold a U.S. master's degree or higher, OR
- •Hold a foreign equivalent of a U.S. master's degree, OR
- •Hold a U.S. bachelor's degree plus 5 years of progressive experience in the field
- •Have a job offer from a U.S. employer
- •The job must require an advanced degree as a minimum qualification
- •Employer must be willing to sponsor your green card
The EB-2 Process Overview
| Step | What Happens | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1. PERM Labor Certification | Employer tests job market | 8-12 months |
| 2. I-140 Petition | Employer files immigrant petition | 6-12 months (or 15 days premium) |
| 3. Priority Date Wait | Wait for visa availability | Varies by country of birth |
| 4. I-485/Consular Processing | Apply for green card | 6-18 months |
| 5. Green Card | Receive permanent residence | After I-485 approval |
PERM Labor Certification
What is PERM?
• Employer proves no qualified U.S. workers available for the position
• Requires advertising the job in specific ways
• Department of Labor reviews the application
PERM Process:
1. Employer obtains prevailing wage determination
2. Job advertised for 30+ days (newspapers, job boards, etc.)
3. Employer reviews applications from U.S. workers
4. If no qualified workers found, PERM filed with DOL
5. DOL processes and certifies (or audits)
Current processing: 8-12 months, longer if audited
I-140 Immigrant Petition
Documentation Required:
• Approved PERM labor certification
• Evidence of education (degrees, transcripts)
• Credential evaluation if foreign degree
• Evidence employer can pay offered wage
• Job offer letter with detailed duties
• Evidence of 5 years experience (if using bachelor's + experience)
Processing Options:
• Standard: 6-12 months
• Premium Processing: 15 calendar days ($2,805 additional fee)
Priority Date and Visa Availability
Priority Date:
• Your 'place in line' for a green card
• Date is when PERM was filed (or I-140 if no PERM required)
Visa Bulletin:
• Department of State publishes monthly
• Shows which priority dates are current
• Different wait times by country of birth
Current EB-2 Waits (approximate):
• Most countries: Current or short wait
• India: 10+ years backlog
• China: 3-5 years backlog
Check the Visa Bulletin monthly for updates.
Bachelor's Degree Plus 5 Years Experience
Requirements:
• U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent
• 5 years of progressive experience in your specialty
• Experience must be post-bachelor's degree
• Experience should show increasing responsibility
Documenting Experience:
• Employment letters from each employer
• Letters must detail dates, duties, skills used
• Show progression in responsibility over time
• Self-employment can count with proper documentation
This path treats bachelor's + 5 years as equivalent to a master's degree.
EB-2 vs EB-3: Which is Better?
| Factor | EB-2 Advanced Degree | EB-3 Skilled Worker |
|---|---|---|
| Education Required | Master's or bachelor's + 5 years | Bachelor's or 2 years experience |
| Wait Time (Most Countries) | Generally shorter | Longer backlog |
| Wait Time (India/China) | Very long | Also very long |
| Job Requirements | Job must require advanced degree | Job requires bachelor's or skilled |
| Salary Typically | Higher (advanced position) | Varies |
| PERM Required | Yes (usually) | Yes |
EB-2 NIW: Skipping PERM
What is NIW?
• Waives the job offer and PERM requirement
• Self-petition (no employer sponsor needed)
• Must prove your work benefits the U.S. national interest
NIW Requirements:
• Proposed endeavor has substantial merit and national importance
• You're well-positioned to advance the endeavor
• Beneficial to waive job offer requirement
Best for:
• Researchers and scientists
• Entrepreneurs with significant impact
• Those whose employer won't sponsor
Maintaining Status While Waiting
If Currently on H-1B:
• H-1B can be extended beyond 6 years if I-140 approved or PERM pending 365+ days
• Apply for extension before current H-1B expires
After I-140 Approval:
• Can port to new employer after 180 days of I-485 pending
• Priority date remains even if changing jobs
EAD/Advance Parole:
• After filing I-485, can apply for work and travel documents
• Allows changing jobs more easily
• Provides flexibility during long wait
Culver City EB-2 Services
- •EB-2 eligibility evaluation
- •Coordination with employer on PERM process
- •Foreign degree credential evaluations
- •I-140 petition preparation
- •Priority date tracking and visa bulletin analysis
- •I-485 adjustment of status filing
- •EAD and advance parole applications
- •H-1B extensions while waiting
- •Arabic translation of educational documents
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Q:Do I need a master's degree for EB-2?
A: Not necessarily. You can qualify with a U.S. bachelor's degree (or foreign equivalent) plus 5 years of progressive post-degree experience in your field. This combination is treated as equivalent to a master's degree for EB-2 purposes.
Q:How long does the EB-2 green card process take?
A: For most countries, the entire process takes 2-4 years. However, applicants born in India face backlogs of 10+ years, and China has 3-5 year waits. The PERM and I-140 stages take 1-2 years; the rest depends on visa availability.
Q:Can I change jobs during the EB-2 process?
A: It depends on the stage. Before PERM approval, changing jobs restarts the process. After I-140 approval and 180 days of pending I-485, you can port to a similar job with a new employer without losing your priority date.
Q:What if my employer won't sponsor me?
A: Consider EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver), which allows self-petition without employer sponsorship. NIW is ideal for researchers, entrepreneurs, and those whose work benefits U.S. national interests.
Q:Is my foreign master's degree valid for EB-2?
A: Yes, but you'll need a credential evaluation from a recognized service confirming your degree is equivalent to a U.S. master's degree. The evaluation must be included with your I-140 petition.
Q:What happens if I'm from India with a long EB-2 wait?
A: Indian nationals face significant backlogs (10+ years). Strategies include: starting the process early to lock in a priority date, maintaining H-1B status (extensions available after I-140 approval), and considering EB-1 if you qualify.
Ready for EB-2 Green Card in Culver City?
Don't let your advanced degree go to waste. Our team helps professionals navigate the EB-2 process from PERM through green card approval.
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