E-3 Visa for Australian Professionals in Specialty Occupations
The E-3 visa enables Australian professional workers to come to the United States to perform services in a specialty occupation.
The E-3 visa for Australians was enacted by Section 501 of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief and signed into law by Pres. George W. Bush on May 11, 2005.
To qualify for an E-3 visa, you must be an Australian citizen with a legitimate offer of employment in the United States for a position that qualifies as a “specialty occupation,” and you must already possess the necessary academic or other qualifying credentials that qualify you for that position.
What is a “Specialty Occupation”?
A specialty occupation is one that requires theoretical and practical application of a body of knowledge in a professional field and a bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States.
Much like the H-1B visa, the employer will need to file a Labor Condition Application with the Department of Labor.
The E-3 visa for Australian professionals can be granted in two (2) year increments, with no limit on extensions generally. There is an annual quota of 10,500 visas available.
The spouse and dependent unmarried children under 21 years of age are entitled to the same E-3 classification. E-3 spouses are entitled to work authorization. E-3 children are not.