3 ms·

The E3 has basically the same requirements as the H1B (regular work visa), the main difference is that there is no cap (whereas H1Bs are capped and it's basical

The E3 has basically the same requirements as the H1B (regular work visa), the main difference is that there is no cap (whereas H1Bs are capped and it's basically a lottery whether you get one or not). IIRC there is some way to avoid the degree requirement if you have a skilled job and an equivalent # of years work experience.

klipt 11y ago
Technically E3 has a cap, but since only Australians can apply for it (as opposed to the whole world applying for H1-Bs) the cap has never been reached.
- falsedan 11y ago
  Yeah, the quota is 10k of which about 3-4k a year is used. Extensions don't count against the quota and are renewable indefinitely. Drawback is: non-permanent visa (so banks won't lend to you) & you can't have intent to stay (can't apply for greencard).
  - klipt 11y ago
    I got a mortgage on H1-B so I don't think non-permanency is necessarily a problem. I also know several people who have gone from E3 to green card: http://www.limaechoecho.com/2012/11/e-3-visa-to-green-card.html http://www.limaechoecho.com/2012/11/e-3-visa-to-green-card.h...
    - falsedan 11y ago
      E-3 to green card is OK if you put in your application from outside the US. H-1B is dual-intent (i.e. not non-permanent) & better known to banks (3k vs. 120k granted per year).
      - axk 11y ago
        Not true. I got a GC while being on an E-3 in the US.
        falsedan 11y ago
        Better hope DHS doesn't find out
        klipt 11y ago
        I really doubt it matters. F1 student visa isn't dual intent either, but a lot of foreign students end up marrying US citizens and adjusting to green cards in the US.