E-3
Australian specialty occupation
The E-3 is a work visa for Australian citizens in jobs that require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. It has its own annual numbers, separate from the H-1B lottery. Most people apply directly at a U.S. consulate with a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA).
Request a consultIs the E-3 for you?
- Australian citizens with a degree and a U.S. job offer
- Employers who want to hire an Australian without the H-1B lottery
- Couples where the spouse also wants to work in the U.S.
- Who sponsors
- Employer
- Typical stay
- 2 years, renewable
What the case needs
- 01Australian citizenship. Your spouse and children do not need to be Australian.
- 02A job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialty occupation.
- 03A bachelor's degree or higher in a related field, or equivalent education and experience.
- 04A Labor Condition Application (LCA) certified by the Department of Labor for the E-3 role.
- 05Intent to leave the U.S. when your status ends.
Your case, start to finish.
An attorney checks that the job is a specialty occupation and that your degree, or degree plus experience, fits it.
We prepare the LCA and the employer letter. Our tools check that duties, wage, and worksite match.
We prepare you for the consular interview, or file with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if you are already in the U.S. and changing status.
We track each two-year renewal and flag changes in job, employer, or worksite that need a new filing.
Before you ask.
Can my spouse work?
Yes. Spouses in E-3D status (shown as E-3S on the I-94 arrival record) are authorized to work because of their status, with no separate work permit needed. Children in E-3D status can study but cannot work.
How many times can I renew?
There is no set limit. Each renewal can be for up to two years, as long as you still hold a qualifying job and intend to leave when your status ends.
Can I change employers?
Yes. The new employer needs its own LCA and either a USCIS filing or a new visa application at a consulate. We confirm when you can start the new job before you resign.
Can I get a green card?
Yes, with planning. The E-3 requires intent to leave when your status ends, so the timing of green card filings matters for travel and renewals. We plan the steps with you.
Worth comparing.
H-1B
Specialty occupations that call for a degree. Most employers enter the annual lottery.
Employer · 3 years, extendable to 6
H-1B1
Degree-level professionals from Chile and Singapore, outside the H-1B lottery.
Employer · 1 year, renewable
O-1A
Extraordinary ability in science, business, or technology. No lottery, no annual cap.
Employer or agent · Up to 3 years, renewable
Tell us about
your case.
Share where you are today and where you want to go. We'll help you understand the immigration path and the work surrounding it.